Planned Parenthood Says The Hymen Has Nothing To Do With Virginity
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Planned Parenthood Says Virginity Is Kinda Sorta Made Up, And Honestly, They're Right

Virginity is a social construct, but there are so many different layers to it.

3023
Planned Parenthood Says Virginity Is Kinda Sorta Made Up, And Honestly, They're Right
Prince Williams / Getty Images

As of lately, there have been some controversies around the hymen's purpose and whether that correlates with losing virginity or not (cough cough, looking at you T.I.).

So while this has been a new outlook on women's health, Planned Parenthood took some words on it to Twitter, notably that virginity — and sex as a whole — has nothing to do with a woman's hymen — and they're right.

To many people, (here's some sex ed for ya, kids) losing their virginity doesn't always just mean being penetrated in a vaginal-penile way. In fact, that is the heteronormative way of thinking, without taking into consideration other biological factors, identities, and even different forms of sexual activity — none of which may have to do with a woman's hymen.

But hold on for a second, the hymen DOES exist — but not for the way you think. The hymen is a thin flesh of tissue that is across the opening of your vagina (all bodies are different though). The hymen can be stretched, torn, and even broken — but not always resulting by sexual activity. Most of the time, it could be riding a bike or horse, or even inserting a tampon or any other object vaginally.

And, the hymen heals itself, so let's just debunk the "popping the cherry" myth right now.

So, back to the discussion: what does this mean in terms of "losing your virginity?" Nothing, since virginity is a social construct in itself.

The term "virginity" is subjective, as having sex looks different to many people. It could be the first time doing foreplay, or even trying different positions. Or, the big one, what about those who are non-heterosexual? What about the non-heteronormative people who have sex? Maybe lovers between two men, or even two women? Or even other identities, with different body types. This shows that virginity falls under the category of what "traditional" sex is, and that demeans anything else that may fight with that definition.

"Taking" a woman's virginity implies that we have something to be taken from us and that our first time "giving ourselves away" is somehow a sacred act. Newsflash: we are almost in the year 2020, and everyone's body should feel worthy, regardless of what kind of sex one has, if they have it, or if they do not.

Virginity is a social construct because the normality of someone taking something "so precious and sacred" is both unrealistic and shameful to all identities. You lose your phone, you don't lose your virginity (or break your hymen).

Report this Content
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

50392
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

32201
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

955538
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

180656
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments