2008 Woodie Awards
'Not everyone -guy or girl- wants to be a slut'
Purity rings are gaining popularity thanks to icons like the Jonas Brothers. Some BSU students are doing it (or not doing it) too.
Dawn Araujo
The increasing buzz surrounding some of young Hollywood's choice to abstain from pre-marital sex hit its pinnacle at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards last week.
During the show, host and British comedian, Russell Brand, gibed the Jonas Brothers for wearing purity rings - an external symbol of their decision to save sex for marriage. The evening of teasing led singer Jordin Sparks to shoot back at Brand in defense of purity rings saying, "Not everyone, guy or girl, wants to be a slut."
Since then, the media has been in a flurry covering the aftermath of Sparks' comments: Who's wearing purity rings? (Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez and, of course, the Jonas Brothers are among the most popular to sport them.) And are these celebrities really walking the walk as well as talking the talk?
In the aftermath some ring manufacturers and jewelers are boasting record spikes in sales. In one of the many post-VMA stories, a spokeswoman for James Avery (a jewelry company based in Kerrville, Texas) told MTV News purity ring sales were up 113 percent in August.
Sales are up at Family Christian Bookstore on Williamsburg Boulevard in Muncie, as well, manager Scott Neal said.
"I have seen an increase," he said. "I would say there's been a bump in sales in the last two months."
But some Ball State University students say the purity ring trend is nothing new.
Junior Sarah Rodman said she started wearing a purity ring during her freshman year of college after she and two friends decided to order them online. While she said the significance of the ring is something she takes seriously, she said the actual decision to wear the ring was easy.
"It was just a statement," she said, "so it wasn't something we discussed with our parents or anything."
Junior Paul Macaluso wore a white purity wristband in high school and started wearing his purity ring in spring 2008.
"My girlfriend gave it to me," he said. "I'd been telling her how much I wanted one, and she had one, and it was too big for her. So she gave it to me."
During the show, host and British comedian, Russell Brand, gibed the Jonas Brothers for wearing purity rings - an external symbol of their decision to save sex for marriage. The evening of teasing led singer Jordin Sparks to shoot back at Brand in defense of purity rings saying, "Not everyone, guy or girl, wants to be a slut."
Since then, the media has been in a flurry covering the aftermath of Sparks' comments: Who's wearing purity rings? (Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez and, of course, the Jonas Brothers are among the most popular to sport them.) And are these celebrities really walking the walk as well as talking the talk?
In the aftermath some ring manufacturers and jewelers are boasting record spikes in sales. In one of the many post-VMA stories, a spokeswoman for James Avery (a jewelry company based in Kerrville, Texas) told MTV News purity ring sales were up 113 percent in August.
Sales are up at Family Christian Bookstore on Williamsburg Boulevard in Muncie, as well, manager Scott Neal said.
"I have seen an increase," he said. "I would say there's been a bump in sales in the last two months."
But some Ball State University students say the purity ring trend is nothing new.
Junior Sarah Rodman said she started wearing a purity ring during her freshman year of college after she and two friends decided to order them online. While she said the significance of the ring is something she takes seriously, she said the actual decision to wear the ring was easy.
"It was just a statement," she said, "so it wasn't something we discussed with our parents or anything."
Junior Paul Macaluso wore a white purity wristband in high school and started wearing his purity ring in spring 2008.
"My girlfriend gave it to me," he said. "I'd been telling her how much I wanted one, and she had one, and it was too big for her. So she gave it to me."
Viewing Comments 1 - 8 of 9
Markus
posted 9/16/08 @ 4:48 AM EST
I dont wear a purity ring, I'm not going to save sex for marrige, and I am NOT a slut
Also, what is it with the idea that chastity is pure and sex is dirty and un-natural?
Statements like "not everyone wants to be a slut" is simply an attemot at propaganda to force your own morality onto others. (Continued…)
Graham
posted 9/16/08 @ 8:35 AM EST
Wow. The abstinence-only "because I don't want to be like one of those weak and dirty SLUUUUTS" crowd never ceases to be unsettling. If you don't want to have sex, then right on. (Continued…)
BSU
posted 9/16/08 @ 10:59 AM EST
I need some pussy
Chip
posted 9/16/08 @ 12:19 PM EST
You know, there are a lot of people out there who aren't having sex, but don't feel the need to advertise that fact. Purity rings exist primarily to communicate a message of moral superiority to those who don't wear them. (Continued…)
Tasha
posted 9/16/08 @ 5:08 PM EST
Um, yeah, this is pretty much one of the worse headlines I have EVER seen anywhere. Good job.
Just because someone is having sex doesn't mean they're having it with everyone. (Continued…)
Tasha
posted 9/16/08 @ 5:11 PM EST
K...missed the part where it was a quote in the story, but STILL don't think it was an appropriate headline.
Ashley
posted 9/17/08 @ 4:38 AM EST
The title is supposed to be a catchy and is a quote from Jordin Sparks about abstinence. It does not personally reflect the writer of the story.
As for the rings, the people telling about their rings were asked about to share why they wear it. (Continued…)
JD
posted 9/17/08 @ 11:18 AM EST
Why wear a promise ring? Probably not to be "holier than thou". It's a symbol and constant reminder of something the wearer believes in. If you want to question those rings, then why not question wearing a wedding ring, or getting a tattoo? They're also symbols of something very special to the wearer, but no one seems bothered by them. (Continued…)
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