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| which is often physically torn when the women first engages in vaginal intercourse. The presence of an intact membrane is therefore often seen as physical evidence of virginity. By contrast, there is no obvious physical indicator of virginity in human males. | which is often physically torn when the women first engages in vaginal intercourse. The presence of an intact membrane is therefore often seen as physical evidence of virginity. By contrast, there is no obvious physical indicator of virginity in human males. | ||
| Virginity has been often considered to be a virtue denoting purity and physical self-restraint and is an important characteristic of some religious figures such as the ] and goddesses such as ], ], and ]. The Maiden or Virgin is one of the three persons of the ] in many ] traditions. The constellation ] represents a wide selection of sacred virgins. | Virginity has been often considered to be a virtue denoting purity and physical self-restraint and is an important characteristic of some religious figures such as the ] and goddesses such as ], ], and ]. The Maiden or Virgin is one of the three persons of the ] in many ] traditions. The constellation ] represents a wide selection of sacred virgins. | ||
| References to virginity are often used in a discouraging manner among younger members of society (especially minors and high school students). The common belief among youths that virginity is something to be ridiculed has been a matter of considerable debate, especially related to the controversy involving ] among minors. | References to virginity are often used in a discouraging manner among younger members of society (especially minors and high school students). The common belief among youths that virginity is something to be ridiculed has been a matter of considerable debate, especially related to the controversy involving ] among minors. | ||
Revision as of 19:22, 16 February 2003
A virgin is most commonly seen as a person who has not yet engaged in sexual intercourse. The status of "virginity" (remaining a virgin) is something that is respected and valued in certain segments of society, especially in regards to religious views of retaining one's virginity before marriage.
Among human females, the hymen is a membrane which is part of the vulva which is often physically torn when the women first engages in vaginal intercourse. The presence of an intact membrane is therefore often seen as physical evidence of virginity. By contrast, there is no obvious physical indicator of virginity in human males.
Virginity has been often considered to be a virtue denoting purity and physical self-restraint and is an important characteristic of some religious figures such as the Virgin Mary and goddesses such as Athena, Artemis, and Hestia. The Maiden or Virgin is one of the three persons of the Triple Goddess in many Neo-Pagan traditions. The constellation Virgo represents a wide selection of sacred virgins.
References to virginity are often used in a discouraging manner among younger members of society (especially minors and high school students). The common belief among youths that virginity is something to be ridiculed has been a matter of considerable debate, especially related to the controversy involving sexuality among minors.
Some historians and anthropologists note that many societies such as the United States before the sexual revolution which place a high value on virginity before marriage actually have large amount of premarital sexual activity, which does not involve penetration. This has been termed technical virginity.
The term is also used in a similar manner to describe someone or something who has not yet achieved a signifcant goal of some sort.
"Virgin" is also the far-reaching British corporate banner encompassing Sir Richard Branson's various business ventures.