The practice of refraining from extramarital or premarital sexual relations. More broadly, sexual purity or celibacy as a virtue or religious commitment.
From Old French chastete, from Latin castitas meaning 'purity, chasteness,' from castus 'pure, chaste.' The concept has been central to many religious and moral systems throughout history.
Medieval chastity belts are largely mythical - most examples in museums are Victorian fakes made to titillate rather than historical artifacts! The concept of chastity was more about honor and social control than physical restraints.
Chastity was weaponized as a moral requirement imposed overwhelmingly on women from medieval times onward, tied to paternity certainty and property control. Men faced no equivalent social enforcement.
Use historically or theologically with awareness that the doctrine enforced gendered power asymmetry. Avoid naturalizing it.
["celibacy","sexual restraint","abstinence"]
Women's refusal of chastity norms—from medieval mystics choosing spiritual autonomy to modern rejection of purity culture—represents reclaimed agency.
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