Defining sex and virginity loss

This study has examined definitions of sex and virginity loss and the influence of gender, religiosity, middle school sex education, and the importance of virginity on those definitions. The study also tests the applicability of social exchange theory to explain how undergraduates define sex and virginity loss. Vaginal intercourse was most often considered to be sex and virginity loss, followed by anal sex and oral sex. The results indicate that women tend to consider more behaviors to be sex and virginity loss than men. Religion and middle school sex education were minimally important. Both viewing virginity as a gift and the importance of maintaining virginity until marriage were related to definitions of sex and virginity loss. Results indicate that the application of social exchange theory in predicting classification of behaviors as sex and virginity loss were mixed. With oral sex receiving the most variation as to whether or not it is sex and virginity loss and being an activity in which young people frequently participate, sex education programs should provide greater attention to oral sex and the associated health risks.Department of SociologyThesis (M.A.

Adolescent Virginity Pledges in the United States

This paper presents a brief history of teen-focused abstinence groups and virginity pledge traditions. It then examines the various meanings virginity pledges have for the adolescents who take them. Much of this information is drawn from abstinence groups’ websites, as well as from personal interviews conducted by sociologists studying virginity loss. Several reasons for taking a virginity pledge were identified. Many of these reasons referenced Christianity. More specifically, pledge-taking was viewed as an act of worship, as a way to adhere to Biblical directives and as a way to honor God’s gift of virginity. Familial reasons were also given as a rationale for taking a virginity pledge. Pledgers referenced their parents’ beliefs regarding abstinence, as well as a desire to avoid emotional pain family members had endured as a result of having premarital sex. Pledgers also maintained virginity as a way to ensure positive romantic relationships in the future, with many desiring to give their virginity as a gift to their spouse. Finally, pledgers mentioned health-related reasons for maintaining virginity, particularly the desire to avoid sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy

Impact of Classics of Western Spirituality on the Discipline of Christian Spirituality

First became aware of the need for something like the Classics of Western Spirituality (CWS) in the late 1960\u27s and early 1970\u27s when I was working on my licentiate thesis in Paris. My subject was the understanding of consecrated virginity in the first four centuries of Christianity. I was motivated to study this subject by two hunches, both confirmed by my subsequent research: first, that the spirituality of Catholic Religious Life, both monastic and ministerial, as it developed in the Christian tradition, was actually rooted historically and mystically in the commitment of the consecrated virgins in the first three centuries rather than in the later ascetical tradition of the eremitical movement of the third and fourth centuries; second, that our only access to that early spirituality of consecrated virginity was the texts of the Fathers of the Church, a surprising number of whom had written whole treatises de virginibus (on virgins) and de virginitatis (on virginity)

The economic value of virtue

We model virtue as an asset on the marriage market : since men value virginity in prospective mates, preserving their virtue increases girls' chances of getting a "good" husband, and therefore allows for upward social mobility. Consistent with some historical and anthropological evidence, we find that the diffusion (and the social value) of virginity, across societies and over time, can be determined, among others, by income inequality, gender differences, social stratification and overall economic development. This is a further example of how cultural and moral values can be affected by economic factors.Mating, marriage, cultural value, social classes, inequality.

The economic value of virtue

Virtue is modelled as an asset that women can use in the marriage market: since men value virginity in prospective mates, preserving her virtue increases a woman’s chances of marrying a high-status husband, and therefore allows for upward social mobility. Consistent with some historical and anthropological evidence, we find that the prevalence (and the value) of virginity, across societies and overtime, can be influenced by socio-economic factors such as male income inequality, gender differences, social status and stratification, and overall economic development.Mating;Marriage;Culturalvalues;Socialclasses;Gender

Assessing Sexual Differences with the Decision to Remain a Virgin

Assessing Sexual Differences with the Decision to Remain a Virgin Jessica Del Rossi, Depts. of Biology and Sociology, with Dr. Claire Kimberly, Dept. of Internal Medicine, VCU School of Medicine In the transition to adulthood, the loss of virginity can be seen as an important step in personal development. The first sexual experience someone encounters is often memorable with a positive or negative interaction impacting sexual satisfaction and sexual communication in the future. People have different definitions of virginity which can lead to miscommunication in personal relationships, research and/or a therapy setting. People may remain a virgin till marriage due to religious convictions and gender differences. Data was collected from 531 adults through Qualtrics and included questions about demographics, definition of virginity, and sexual satisfaction/communication. Respondents included 62.9% of the people thought at one point in their life they would remain a virgin until marriage while 36.9% reported that they did not. Average responses for sexual communication and satisfaction were reviewed by whether or not the individual decided at some point to be a virgin and demographics. Notable gender differences were found with men who decided not to be a virgin at one point in their life having higher sexual communication when compared to women who had decided not to remain a virgin. However, women who decided to be a virgin at one point had higher sexual satisfaction later on when compared to men and women who did not decide to be a virgin at one point in their lives. In regards to interest in religion, people that stated that religion was unimportant and had not decided to be a virgin had higher sexual satisfaction later on then people who thought religion was important and had decided to be a virgin. The results have the potential to help people in research, education, and therapy. Specifically, it can supplement the knowledge about gender differences and religion when it comes to virginity loss and how it might impact current relationships.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/uresposters/1309/thumbnail.jp

The Economic Value of Virtue

Virtue is modeled as an asset that women can use in the marriage market: since men value virginity in prospective mates, preserving her virtue increases a woman's chances of marrying a high-status husband, and therefore allows for upward social mobility. Consistent with some historical and anthropological evidence, we find that the prevalence (and the value) of virginity, across societies and over time, can be influenced by socio-economic factors such as male income inequality, gender differences, social status and stratification, and overall economic development.mating, marriage, cultural values, social classes, gender

O Virgin of Virgins, Our Mother: A Feminist Reconstruction of Mary’s Perpetual Virginity as a Model for Christian Discipleship

In this paper I aim to recover the revolutionary force of Mary’s perpetual virginity as a model for Christian discipleship in two stages: first, I search the writings of Ambrose of Milan and Augustine of Hippo as well as the medieval hagiographic tradition of virgin martyr tales for resources which recognize the possible concurrence of virginity and sexual activity, given that the sexual activity in question lacks full consent; second, I push the tradition beyond itself to reach toward a new understanding of virginity which can admit the possible coincidence of virginity and fully consensual sexual activit

Medico-legal evaluation of the gynaecological consultation in cases of annulment presenting to the Ecclesiastical Tribunal of the Roman Curia in Malta

The Ecclesiastical Tribune of the Roman Curia in Malta appoints gynaecologists as medical experts to certain cases seeking annulment. These cases often essentially revolve around the confirmation or exclusion of virginity but may involve requests for other information. In this article an experienced gynaecologist and a practicing lawyer, evaluate the gynaecologist’s role, outline clinical pitfalls and offer relevant advice.peer-reviewe