Sexual Relationships 
Sexual Health 
Sex is Everywhere
In today's culture, sex is everywhere. We see it in the movies, on commercials, on the internet, and just about anywhere imaginable. From images, to dialogue, to explicit videos, and to sexually suggestive themes and innuendos, sex is glamorized and portrayed as a casual encounter, an important stepping stone to adulthood, and something that must be achieved.
Has Virginity Become Obsolete?
But what about virginity? What about saving oneself for the right person, or even marriage? Media and pop culture have scrutinized the idea of abstaining. Those who wait are often viewed as "prudes" or undesirable.
A negative image has been created for those who take a more conservative approach to sex, and stereotypes have been brought about, many referring to these people as usually being "unattractive," "obese," "nerdy," or "religiously zealous." This paints a picture that suggests those who often are virgins past a certain age are for reasons other than their own. That or they are just superbly religious.
The Truth About Sex & Virginity
Many claim virgins are rare and that most people lose their virginity now before they reach 16. This is far from the truth. Every two years, the Centers of Disease Control conducts a survey for adolescents, called the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. According to the CDC, the average age one loses their virginity is age 17. But note, that is the AVERAGE. That means there are those who lose their virginity before that age, but there are also many who lose their virginity after that age. Average just means typical.
About 60% percent of high school seniors at the time reported having intercourse at least once in their lifetime, which most of these surveys were issued in the spring semester of 12th grade year, not long prior to graduation. But each state also conducts their own with most results ranging from around 50%-65% for high school seniors. Bottom line, that myth has been debunked and trends over the last decade have shown consistency.
Her Campus, an online college community for women, conducted a survey and showed that most of the college women surveyed did not lose their virginity until college. A notable amount of women also reported to be virgins during the time of the survey. Her Campus also stated a consistency of results.
The Value of Virginity
But let's get to the main issue of this article, where we ask ourselves, "Why does virginity still have value?" Virginity is not just the physical state of ones genitals, or whether or not the hymen is still present or not. In fact, virginity does not pertain to just women but to men too; it is gender neutral.
Virginity is much more than one's genitals. It is that first time in general, the emotion, the intimacy, the memories and recollections that accompany it. They say one always remembers their first time, which is said for a reason.
Losing Your Virginity vs. Having Sex
When one has sex, that person is sharing a very personal part of themselves. When you lose your virginity, you share that part of yourself with someone never shared with anyone else before. When you have sex with others, you will always have that memory ingrained in your mind, whether it was a positive or negative experience, and the one you love will have to bear knowing that someone else was able to be with you in an intimate manner. This is often hurtful and can cause jealousy and turmoil with future relationships.
Like I said, virginity is not just the hymen. There are spiritual and emotional aspects attached to it. That is why virginity is one of the greatest gifts in this world. Not to say that virginity should be the only attribute valued in a person, but one of many.
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