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In this paper, I draw on the principles of Aristotelian ethics, the work of modern virtue ethicists, and previous feminist critiques of purity balls to interrogate the effects of this practice on moral development. I argue that purity balls discourage young women from making autonomous, informed, and virtuously motivated decisions regarding their sexuality. While most critiques of purity balls are rooted in the explicitly patriarchal structure of these events, my analysis emphasizes the negative impact they have on moral agency. I conclude that purity balls are unethical because of the detrimental effects they have on the becoming of virtuous agents.

In this paper, I draw on the principles of Aristotelianethics, the work of modern virtue ethicists, and previous feministcritiques of purity balls to interrogate the effects of this practiceon moral development. I argue that purity balls discourage youngwomen from making autonomous, informed, and virtuouslymotivated decisions regarding their sexuality. While most critiquesof purity balls are rooted in the explicitly patriarchal structure ofthese events, my analysis emphasizes the negative impact they haveon moral agency. I conclude that purity balls are unethical becauseof the detrimental effects they have on the becoming of virtuousagents.

No abstract