Le corps dominé des femmes, réflexions sur la valeur de la virginité (Algérie)

Monique Gadant, The Dominated Body of Women : Reflections on the Value of Virginity in Algeria The Islamic tradition, contrary to the Christian tradition, holds sexual pleasure to be legitimate, but only within marriage. The state of virginity within Islamic culture is connected with conceptions of honor and centers upon the preservation of the hyman before marriage of the woman. This phenomenon is present in contemporary Algeria where it is expressed in part by the Islamic fundamentalist movements. In this context, respect for honor is transformed into conformism which centers upon social control rather than respect for the individual.Gadant Monique. Le corps dominé des femmes, réflexions sur la valeur de la virginité (Algérie). In: L'Homme et la société, N. 99-100, 1991. Femmes et sociétés. pp. 37-56