Hello everyone –
Your discussions on cultural differences and the definition of virginity have been terrific!
They were generally well thought out, considerate and respectful of the feelings and ideas
of others. Keep up the good work. 
All the replies I received suggested I post some discussion questions. Therefore, each
Monday or Tuesday I will post some questions, comments, or ideas for you to consider.
These will relate to the topics to be covered that week.
Here are some items I would like to mention regarding my input.
1. The postings are primarily for student interaction on topics of concern to you.
Therefore, I consider my input as secondary back-up topics to consider either if it is
something you have not thought about before that is interesting to you, or if you cannot
think of a topic to discuss.
2. My questions will not be “academic” questions with a correct answer to look up.
Instead, they will be questions or other items students may want to ask, but are
uncomfortable doing so, and my asking will give some type of permission to discuss
things that may not usually be covered.
3. My experience has been that when I answer or comment on my own questions, it tends
to be seen as the “correct” answer, and reduces further discussion. Therefore, I will not
necessarily answer or comment of what I put up for discussion. These are designed to
create student discussion and interaction. However, I do read every posting.
General rules for posting:
1. You are free to discuss any topic you wish related to the class as long as it is
respectful to all members of the class, and makes a positive contribution to the class.
2. You are free to include as much (or as little) personal information as you wish.
3. Any postings discussed outside of class should never be attached to an individual
person’s name.
Some questions related to the current discussion:
1. I recall a student who had anal intercourse, and oral intercourse, but not vaginal
intercourse. She considered herself virgin. Is she one-third virgin? Some of you may be
one third or two thirds virgin and did not know it!
2. What happened in American culture to change our attitude toward virginity? Fifty
years or more ago virginity was highly praised, but not as much today? Why?
3. What could be the practical value of virginity to a culture that strongly supports it?
If cultural norms support a behavior, it usually is seen as having practical value.
Why is that not the case in America?
4. With birth control, why are we still more concerned about female virginity than male
virginity? Or are we?
5. Have you lost your virginity as much if you only had one partner as if you have had
200 partners?
6. Do you think women have sex for the first time for the same reasons men do? What
are those reasons? Why did you have sex the first time?
7. If you are virgin (or not) what do you feel are the benefits (or disadvantages) of your
decision? Would you make the same decision again if you could?
8. The virgin bride concept developed when people would get married at perhaps 12
years old with arranged marriages. If you will not get married until perhaps 25 years old,
is it still applicable? What if you do not marry until 35 years old, or never? At what age
is it ever fully appropriate to have sex if you are not married?
9. What age is too young to have sex? How do you decide? Is this age different for girls
or boys? Why?