How Different Cultures Handle Losing Their Virginity

Virginity has become an obsolete concept in modern Western society, allowing young women to experiment with their sexuality while their male counterparts are doing the same. This reality translates into a healthy sexual identity rather set in the future. However, virginity has not disappeared entirely modern. Many cultures continue to maintain the value of virginity or chastity before marriage, mainly on the basis of predominant religious concepts.

The most popular advocate of virginity is the Catholic Church. Its most obvious validation for this stand is the teaching that all girls are daughters of the Virgin Mary. As such, and having presented Mary as the most pristine and chaste of all women, young Catholics are thus forced to follow suit throughout his life. Of course, sex is not prohibited once the woman has entered the sacrament of marriage. However, while married women are regarded with respect and approval, women who remain virgins all their lives are regarded as sacred. Thus, the latter still achieves a higher status in the Catholic community. Aside from using the Virgin Mary, the Catholic Church has also employed countless symbolisms in order to justify the importance of virginity. Canonized St. Maria Goretti, who died while trying to fend off a rapist, presents such a symbolism.

While the Catholic Church in ancient times cruel punishments imposed on women remaining chaste outside of marriage, modern ideologies have already diminished such harmful practices. However, while Catholic girls may have been spared much pain and humiliation, those from other cultures have to contend with much graver consequences. A culture is present in Hindu countries. Chastity is a fundamental virtue for all Hindu women, not only before marriage but also after the completion of the program, usually after the death of her husband. Therefore, if the husband dies the widow is no longer a virgin, is not suitable to marry someone else. Moreover, its existence becomes not only superfluous, but just as abominable. Thus, the ancient practice called Sati was performed. This custom usually prescribes that during the cremation of the husband, wife will throw into the flames. Thus, it strengthens the faith and honor as a wife. A modified version of this practice is called
the Jauhar or Jouhaida. This custom is performed on a larger scale, likewise prescribing that the wife commit suicide, but this time with the imminent death of her husband in mind.

These heinous practices are now outlawed in India, but some fundamentalists still press for a return to these traditions. However, chastity before marriage remains a highly prized virtue in Hinduism today. The same statement applies to Islamic cultures. Muslim brides must remain chaste until their wedding night. According to Islamic teachings, God created the hymen because it serves the function of determining the validity of the sexual relationship, in which women may engage after marriage. The hymen is present in order to make clear to women that sexual relations outside the marriage bond are perversions of a holy act and are considered unclean. Islam prizes cleansing the body over most things, and should therefore be protected and defended.

Unlike modern Western culture, the above maintain the importance of virginity before marriage. However, the decision whether or not virginity is important depends essentially on personal choice. After all, women should be free to choose, without fear or coercion, which may or may not do to your own body.
orders your product here