Purity Balls

A purity ball (also called a “purity wedding” or a “father-daughter purity ball”) is a formal event that encourages the virginity of preteen and teenage girls until marriage and is attended by fathers and their daughters. Girls are encouraged to dress up in a formal white gown (resembling a wedding gown) for the event, which usually includes a “ceremony” in which the girl pledges to remain abstinent until marriage and her father pledges to protect his daughter's purity. Often the father will present his daughter with a “purity ring” or another piece of jewelry symbolizing his pledge to her. The event usually includes a dinner and dance, in addition to the ceremony. Purity balls are an American phenomenon and often associated with U.S. Evangelical Christian ...