Why does "abstinence clearinghouse" make me think that they're selling hymens for mere pennies a piece, and if you order one thousands more will mysteriously arrive at your house along with a bill?

This is all manner of creepy. It's really scary that people seem to think that dads and lovers/husbands are interchangeable (I mean honestly, these girls are dressed up like little brides, complete with bouquets!) I just... sick. Sick, sick twisted men who can't let go of the fact that their little girls have bodies and rights outside that should exist outside their sphere of control. Maybe the creepiest part is that I think my dad would have loved something like this when I was a teenager. *shudder*

These people need to get a grip. Even the girls in the photo look confused and/or disturbed. What a seriously twisted concept.

Ever wonder how many of these dads waited until marriage? How many do you think regularly talk to their sons about not only waiting themselves, but respecting (maybe even admiring) a girl or woman who isn't ready for sex?

Wow, those girls look happy.

This stuff is just too weird.

"This fantastic event reaches to the heart of young women..."

Way to go, ultra-creepy Abstinence Clearinghouse, great way to show how interested you are in the sex lives of young woman. Any chance you have a how-to for the GUYS?

Good comment on the Dads' abstinence. Abstinence seemed a LOT less important when I learned that my ultra-conservative Mum and Pop hadn't "waited" like the perfect angel they expected me to be. :)

Go here for a scathingly sarcastic article on purity balls by my favorite columnist!

"Most notably in therapy."

ha! thanks, that just made me laugh out loud. it's so not funny that it's funny, right?

And 88% of those unhappy looking "purity princesses" will break the pledge before marriage, according to a Yale recent study. The same study found that they are less likely to use any form of protection when/if they do break the pledge. As a veteran/escapee of one of these programs, I can say that very few young males take part and are rarely encouraged to do so because women are the one's controlling their virginity anyway! These poor little girls are probably not expected to do much but wait to have babies anyway...sad sigh.

The lack of protection is the scary part. I wouldn't mind the purity thing nearly so much if they gave them a condom "just in case".