Virginity Term paper

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Phoenix Frazier

Literature Review

Comm. 449

02-12-01

Virginity: An Issue That Affects People of All Ages, for Different Reasons

One of the most important steps that a person takes in their life can leave both negative and positive memories, pain and pleasure, and pride and shame. The subject of one’s virginity is something that can be influenced by many paradigms of life. One researcher suggests, “Symbolic interaction theory suggests that anticipatory socialization is important in the transition from one developmental stage to another” ( Herold and Goodwin 109) . By this he meant that in sexual instances, when people socialize about the pleasantness of sex, this might motivate an individual to seek those pleasures therefore, making that person anticipate those outcomes. Keeping one’s virginity may also be influenced by religion, peer pressure, peer surroundings, and sense of pride. Contrary to the belief that only adolescent girls are conflicted with their choice of chastity, more and more adult men and women are as well. A lot of people are putting off sex, and not because they can’t get a date. They’ve decided to wait, and they’re proud of their chastity, not embarrassed by it. Suddenly, virgin geek is giving way to virgin chic (Newsweek, October 17, 1994, p.59) Researchers have accumulated an extensive collection of articles based on the sexuality of adolescents, but yet have failed to really do extensive research on the reasons for these sexual choices of young adults. Because of this reason, I believe that the study the causes for virginity between people of all ages would not only be interesting, but substantial as well.

In reviewing many articles about virgins of all different contexts, there were consistent findings showing that gender differences were an important factor in keeping one’s virginity. Women are more likely than men to feel less pressured into giving up their virginity. Also, even though women’s reasons for not having sex were more passionate ( i.e.; waiting for love, commitment) the number one reason for keeping virginity amongst male and females, was “ I’m waiting for the right one”. This indicates that many people are just waiting for the so-called “ perfect person” to sweep them off their feet.

Sprecher and Regan found that apparently, both men and women in their sample desired sex, but abstained from it because they required an “appropriate” reason to become sexually active ( e.g., the “right” person) ; sought to avoid some real, potentially negative consequences of sexual intercourse ( e.g., unplanned pregnancy, disease); and were attempting to act in service of their personal beliefs ( “ College Virgins” 11 ) . Overall, the ratings of these reasons were very similar for men and women. However, they did find that gender differences were given to many of these reasons. The virgin women participants were more concerned than their male counterparts with interpersonal reasons for their virginity ( i.e., not enough love or not having met the right person) (Sprecher and Regan 12). They believe that the reason for this is stemmed in the adolescence upbringing of these individuals. They believe that during adolescence, girls are more likely than boys to have discussed the issue of abstinence and other sexual topics with their parents, laying the foundation for a general knowledge of acceptance of virginity.

Finally, college virgins do not abstain from sex because of lack of sexual desire. This finding doesn’t support the stereotype of a “ frigid virgin” . The number one reason for abstaining amongst men and women had to do with the meeting of the “right person”. In a study by Herold and Goodwin, they also found this to be true.

Another study that examined the first sexual experience amongst college youth, also gave support to similar findings of Sprecher and Regan. Both females and males were more likely to experience their first intercourse experience with a steady dating partner. However, this was more often the case for females than males ( Darling et. al. 104). Even though the focus of this study was on non- virgins and their first sexual experience, they still found that women participated with someone whom they felt was the right one. Whether it was a steady partner, lover, or fiancée, the women had the sense of closeness, love, and stability. These findings really support the gender differences...

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