Social constructs are ideas created by humans, and although they may not be real, they can have real consequences. Virgin is a widely used word to define someone who has never had sexual intercourse, however there is no official medical definition for virginity. (Valenti 20)
According to planned parenthood’s website “[a] virgin is someone who has never had sex — but people define "sex" differently.”(“What Is Virginity and The Hymen? | Losing Your Virginity.”) Virginity is social construct that holds a different subjective meaning to everyone making it impossible to determine whether certain sexual acts qualify someone as a virgin or not. there is not real definition or method to proof of virginity; however, people are treated differently …show more content…
Do-me-feminism is an ideology that celebrates the sexual liberation of women, this type of feminist believes that “the right ideology and the best sex are not mutually exclusive.” (Shalit 28) Do-me-feminism wants to break the ties between shame and sex, giving women the freedom to choose whether or not to have sex without judgement. Erin McKelle’s article on a feminist blog called everyday feminism explains that the idea virginity contributed to slut shaming, which is shaming or attacking women for being sexual, it constrains women’s behaviour and prevents sexual liberation of women. (5 Reasons Why We Need to Ditch The Concept of Virginity For Good) The idea that the loss of virginity is through penis-in-vagina sex is heteronormative, it promotes heterosexuality as the “normal” and excludes LGBT individuals. This way of defining virginity would entail that all homosexuals are virgins, even if they are sexually involved with their partners. Jessica Valenti advocates for a new was of defining virginity that is inclusive, she believes that having reached orgasm, this theory however is not popular among straight males.(Valenti 21) A well-know feminist youtube star, Laci Green also challenges the idea of virginity and suggests using the term “sexual debut” as it is empowering rather than the idea of “losing your virginity” as nothing is actually lost. (Let’s Lose
According to planned parenthood’s website “[a] virgin is someone who has never had sex — but people define "sex" differently.”(“What Is Virginity and The Hymen? | Losing Your Virginity.”) Virginity is social construct that holds a different subjective meaning to everyone making it impossible to determine whether certain sexual acts qualify someone as a virgin or not. there is not real definition or method to proof of virginity; however, people are treated differently …show more content…
Do-me-feminism is an ideology that celebrates the sexual liberation of women, this type of feminist believes that “the right ideology and the best sex are not mutually exclusive.” (Shalit 28) Do-me-feminism wants to break the ties between shame and sex, giving women the freedom to choose whether or not to have sex without judgement. Erin McKelle’s article on a feminist blog called everyday feminism explains that the idea virginity contributed to slut shaming, which is shaming or attacking women for being sexual, it constrains women’s behaviour and prevents sexual liberation of women. (5 Reasons Why We Need to Ditch The Concept of Virginity For Good) The idea that the loss of virginity is through penis-in-vagina sex is heteronormative, it promotes heterosexuality as the “normal” and excludes LGBT individuals. This way of defining virginity would entail that all homosexuals are virgins, even if they are sexually involved with their partners. Jessica Valenti advocates for a new was of defining virginity that is inclusive, she believes that having reached orgasm, this theory however is not popular among straight males.(Valenti 21) A well-know feminist youtube star, Laci Green also challenges the idea of virginity and suggests using the term “sexual debut” as it is empowering rather than the idea of “losing your virginity” as nothing is actually lost. (Let’s Lose