They freak me out. I honestly find them deeply disturbing-- don't get me wrong, the religion about it doesn't bother me in the least (to each his own and all), but besides being totally useless (proven that they have no effect on the girls) they have some creepy undertones, too...
2007-09-02 17:14:00 · 14 answers · asked by mathaowny 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes, it is creepy that a girl is pledging her virginity to her father. And not just that, but they go to balls to...celebrate?...her purity? Why should she be promising anything about her sexuality to her father? Ew.
I find it normal for a father to be concerned for the safety of the girl. But I think a birds and the bees talk should do the trick.
Here is the father's pledge:
"I, (daughter’s name)'s father, choose before God to cover my daughter as her authority and protection in the area of purity. I will be pure in my own life as a man, husband and father. I will be a man of integrity and accountability as I lead, guide and pray over my daughter and as the high priest in my home. This covering will be used by God to influence generations to come."
Criticism: (a Christian woman commenting in the Chicago Sun Times)
"I can't help but wonder if a single-minded focus on virginity is an ironic, and unintended way, of sexualizing youth in a different way ... There's a reason that Christ warned, in condemning the hypocrisy of the (outwardly righteous) Pharisees, that sin is not what goes into a person, it's what comes out of the heart."
2007-09-02 17:26:04 · answer #1 · answered by Rin 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
They strike me as seriously creepy. Nothing wrong with abstinence, if that's the path that people want to follow, but these are private issues that should be dealt with in a tasteful and private manner. Why aren't more parents disturbed about their children standing up in public and talking about their sexuality (yes, boasting about your abstinence is drawing attention to your sexuality by broadcasting it to the four winds that you're not having sex). I don't care if the abstinence crowd is having sex or not. That's their private decision, and is none of my business. It's certainly not the basis for a public event. In most of these balls, the fathers' obsession with the daughters' virginity is creepy. Why would anybody want to throw their sexual decisions in other people's faces? And what kind of parents would stand for it?
2007-09-03 00:21:57 · answer #2 · answered by solarius 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, I've always wanted to have a daughter myself, but if I were ever possessed to even think about this purity ball thing whatever the hell they are, I'd expect that any child that I'd give birth to would probably stick that purity ball straight up my @ss. I like independence. I'd expect any young girl to the same thing under such conditions. I've just been informed that purity balls aren't something you can stick up someone's @ss, in any case something would be stuck up my @ss. I'm kind of obsessed with that amn't I? LOL!
2007-09-03 07:52:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
If we think about it as a father-daughter formal dance, that's not so creepy. I see nothing wrong with a teenager choosing to abstain from sex until adulthood - no pregnancies, no STDs - what is wrong with that?
It's certainly not a requirement that teens have sex, after all...
Having a big party about it - well, people have big parties for wierder reasons, IMO. let em have at it - as long as they don't insist I participate.
In fact, let them have at it, and make wearing of hats to match the gown a requirement - then my business will be booming in custom hat orders! Muhahahahaha!!!
(How to twist anything to make it positive - it's a skill - LOL)
2007-09-03 00:26:07 · answer #4 · answered by Cheese Fairy - Mummified 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The only time I've ever heard about them is here on R&S. Truthfully? I'm a Christian woman...and I think they sound rather creepy too. I'm all for young people wanting to remain pure for marriage, but this father/daughter pledge thing? S-t-r-a-n-g-e.
2007-09-03 00:40:30 · answer #5 · answered by Esther 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think women have found yet another reason to get dressed up in really awesome dresses myself. I mean really you have prom, you get married and that's it. No more cool dresses. Might as well add one more in.
And yes I think they are silly. Staying "pure" is a personal moral decision. It has nothing to do with a silly ring and a pretty dress.
2007-09-03 00:23:08 · answer #6 · answered by ~Heathen Princess~ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've never heard of them.. now I'll have to go look them up. Sounds weird, though.
Looked it up... There is something really weird there. I had a rotten father, though, and can't imagine any dad being all this righteous and such.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purity_Ball
2007-09-03 00:20:06 · answer #7 · answered by Cosmic I 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What the heck is a purity ball?
2007-09-03 00:23:19 · answer #8 · answered by god_chic 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I just looked it up and it sounds horribly sexist. So girls aren't considered able to make their own decisions, they need a man to always be in control of their life?
2007-09-03 00:24:17 · answer #9 · answered by lindsey p 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Immensely. They are ridiculously sexist and useless.
2007-09-03 00:20:15 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋