Young girls often ask themselves: "Virgin - what is it? And why is it so appreciated by young people?". In this article you will find answers to all questions related to virginity.
"Virgin" - the meaning of the word
The main sign of a virgin is the presence of a hymen. It is important to know that a virgin can be called any girl who has not yet had sexual contact with vaginal penetration. Although some believe that girls who practice sexual intercourse without penetration: petting, oral sex, anal sex and some others, the concept of a virgin in the broad sense of the word cannot be applied, despite the presence of a hymen.
There is also male virginity, which is commonly referred to as a man's lack of any sexual experience. Interestingly, it doesn't show up physically.
All about the hymen
The hymen is also called a hymen - it's a small foldmucous tissue with a hole that covers the entrance to the vagina. It can be of different sizes and thicknesses. The rupture of the hymen occurs by mechanical action, for example, during sexual contact. It happens that tissue destruction occurs under other circumstances, for example, active sports, accidents, and so on.
Sometimes it happens that a girl is born without a hymen. In this case, in the absence of sexual contact, it can also be considered a virgin. It is not uncommon for hymen to not mean virginity, because it can persist even during sexual contact with penetration, for example, with a small size of the partner's penis.
In some girls, the hymen completely closes the entrance to the vagina. This unpleasant feature of the body is found out already in adolescence, when the girl begins menstruation, and the hymen prevents the release of menstrual blood. As a rule, it is not possible to do without surgical intervention in such cases.
Spiritual virginity
In monasticism, a vow of virginity is a prerequisite, which means a conscious rejection of carnal pleasures and the development of one's own spiritual world, the search for peace. The church believes that sexual contact is "dirt" that prevents spiritual perfection.
Why virginity is valued
In society, virginity is an indicator of the prudence of a girl. After all, the one who lost her virginity before marriage,is considered promiscuous, because sexual relations in a traditional society are possible only with a legal spouse.
Previously, social perception of first sexual contact was strongly influenced by gender roles. It was believed that for guys the first sexual experience is becoming like a man, and therefore an honor, but for a girl, on the contrary, it was considered shameful to become a woman, especially not in an official marriage. In modern European culture, the attitude towards virginity has become almost neutral, and sometimes even dismissive. This concerns mainly the youth environment.
Cultural practices associated with virginity
Many cultures associate virginity with the honor of the entire family, and a girl who is deprived of this mark of purity and innocence before marriage can tarnish the reputation of the whole family. Some peoples even practice hanging the sheet, on which the first wedding night of the newlyweds took place, for all to see. Such measures are aimed at confirming that the girl kept her "honor" for the groom.
Some African cultures require a girl to be tested for virginity before she can be considered a bride. Such checks are usually carried out by the oldest woman in the tribe.
Myths about virginity
- Virgins can use tampons, despite popular belief that it can damage the hymen. Just need to choose small size options.
- A common misconception is that virgins shouldn't go to the gynecologist. Before starting the examination, the doctor will definitely ask the girl if she had sexual intercourse and in no case will she allow actions that, for no apparent reason, would damage the hymen.
- If a girl did not have blood during her first sexual experience, then she is not a virgin. That this is also a myth, has long been known to everyone. Everything passes individually, and heavy bleeding, on the contrary, is an indicator of a deviation from the norm. With such problems, you should immediately visit a specialist.
- Virginity is not a contraceptive and you can get pregnant even at the first sexual intercourse, so you need to start contraception right away.
Thus, you got the answer to the question: "What is a virgin?". They also learned what traditions are associated with her, what is the attitude towards virgins in society at the moment, and what common myths exist. In any case, all issues related to such an intimate topic as virginity should not be discussed with a girlfriend, but with a gynecologist who will professionally advise on how to lose your virginity in the best possible way and how to behave after the onset of sexual activity.
