Spring Break
Who took your V card?
Heather Derby/Staff Reporter
Issue date: 11/6/09 Section: The Verge
Virginity.
What does it mean anymore?
With times changing so fast and promiscuity becoming common-place in today's society, virginity is becoming harder to define.
There are so many layers that cover the term, and every person views it differently.
When defining virginity, Aaron Taylor, a sophomore special education major, said, "(Virginity) is not having sex through penetration." Many people share this same view.
Valerie Badillo, a sophomore communication studies major, agreed, but placed more of a woman's spin on the definition.
"Virginity is innocence and it is the one last thing that you have left of being a little girl and not a woman," Badillo said.
So, what about oral sex? A lot more people are engaging in oral sex and treating it like an old-fashioned make out session.
Oral sex, in some respects, has become the new goodnight kiss for many, but are you still considered a virgin if you participate in oral sex but not intercourse?
Emily Brehm, a sophomore and athletic training major, thinks so.
"Sex is sexual intercourse," Brehm said. "It's penetration with the outcome of pregnancy, so people who partake in oral sex are still virgins."
Of course oral sex does not lead to pregnancy, but it does raise other risks.
Michelle Ames, sophomore elementary education major, says people should not be considered virgins if they participate in oral sex.
"(Oral sex) is still having sexual relations with another person," she said.
Because sex has become more casual and is literally everywhere, virginity has become the new taboo of the 21st century. Hot and steamy sex stories have replaced our casual conversations, and some virgins are becoming repressed by this.
Taylor is one person who is not letting our over-sexed society bring him down.
He is saving himself for marriage, which has become a rare find. He is comfortable with his choice and keeps an optimistic outlook.
"I don't think you should be ashamed of who you are," Taylor said. "Being a virgin, you are in a small minority. Don't feel alone because there are a lot of other virgins out there."
There are certainly a lot of virgins left in this world, but why do they keep their 'secret' such a secret?
Badillo said that it is because our society pressures people to lose their virginity at a young age.
She said women and men are under this pressure and if they keep their virginity, they are ridiculed for the decision. She encourages virgins to stay strong.
"Because of my experiences, I would tell girls who are virgins to hold onto it as long as they can," Badillo said. "Don't let anyone pressure you into doing it, and you should lose it when you fall in love with someone."
Noah Hardy, a freshman undecided major, does not place any judgment on virgins either and is proud of them in some respects.
"I have a few friends who are virgins," Hardy said. "They are waiting until they get married and I respect that a lot, actually."
Taylor does not place any judgment on sexually active people.
"It is not my place to judge," Taylor said. "I don't see them as being any better and I don't look down on them."
Regardless, if you are a virgin or not, it is important to have respect for yourself when making decisions.
"Sex isn't a number, it's not a mechanism and it's not leverage. It's one of the deepest emotions in which you can express yourself to," Taylor said.
Heather Derby can be reached at 581-7942 or hnderby@eiu.edu.
What does it mean anymore?
With times changing so fast and promiscuity becoming common-place in today's society, virginity is becoming harder to define.
There are so many layers that cover the term, and every person views it differently.
When defining virginity, Aaron Taylor, a sophomore special education major, said, "(Virginity) is not having sex through penetration." Many people share this same view.
Valerie Badillo, a sophomore communication studies major, agreed, but placed more of a woman's spin on the definition.
"Virginity is innocence and it is the one last thing that you have left of being a little girl and not a woman," Badillo said.
So, what about oral sex? A lot more people are engaging in oral sex and treating it like an old-fashioned make out session.
Oral sex, in some respects, has become the new goodnight kiss for many, but are you still considered a virgin if you participate in oral sex but not intercourse?
Emily Brehm, a sophomore and athletic training major, thinks so.
"Sex is sexual intercourse," Brehm said. "It's penetration with the outcome of pregnancy, so people who partake in oral sex are still virgins."
Of course oral sex does not lead to pregnancy, but it does raise other risks.
Michelle Ames, sophomore elementary education major, says people should not be considered virgins if they participate in oral sex.
"(Oral sex) is still having sexual relations with another person," she said.
Because sex has become more casual and is literally everywhere, virginity has become the new taboo of the 21st century. Hot and steamy sex stories have replaced our casual conversations, and some virgins are becoming repressed by this.
Taylor is one person who is not letting our over-sexed society bring him down.
He is saving himself for marriage, which has become a rare find. He is comfortable with his choice and keeps an optimistic outlook.
"I don't think you should be ashamed of who you are," Taylor said. "Being a virgin, you are in a small minority. Don't feel alone because there are a lot of other virgins out there."
There are certainly a lot of virgins left in this world, but why do they keep their 'secret' such a secret?
Badillo said that it is because our society pressures people to lose their virginity at a young age.
She said women and men are under this pressure and if they keep their virginity, they are ridiculed for the decision. She encourages virgins to stay strong.
"Because of my experiences, I would tell girls who are virgins to hold onto it as long as they can," Badillo said. "Don't let anyone pressure you into doing it, and you should lose it when you fall in love with someone."
Noah Hardy, a freshman undecided major, does not place any judgment on virgins either and is proud of them in some respects.
"I have a few friends who are virgins," Hardy said. "They are waiting until they get married and I respect that a lot, actually."
Taylor does not place any judgment on sexually active people.
"It is not my place to judge," Taylor said. "I don't see them as being any better and I don't look down on them."
Regardless, if you are a virgin or not, it is important to have respect for yourself when making decisions.
"Sex isn't a number, it's not a mechanism and it's not leverage. It's one of the deepest emotions in which you can express yourself to," Taylor said.
Heather Derby can be reached at 581-7942 or hnderby@eiu.edu.
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