The most important reason why a woman’s virginity should not determine her worth is the fact that a man’s virginity does not define his. If a man messes around with or sleeps with one woman too soon he is not “easy.” If a man messes around with or sleeps with many women, or
has a child out of wedlock, he is never a “slut.” This hypocritical paradigm is unfair. Although males and females are biologically different, as human beings males and females are equal and so should be held to the same moral standard.
One moral standard means that the freedom associated with male segxwality should be associated with female segxwality as well, and that men should carry as much responsibility for their segxwal actions as women do. What would this look like? The world would be better if a woman could confide in her mother about losing her virginity without being ex-communicated from her family. The world would be better if a woman’s brother received as much pressure to live with purity as she did. The world would be better if, after reporting segxwal assault, a female (or male!) victim received support instead of suspicion or derision.
Unfortunately, the world is not perfect, and we still live in a society where women are victimized and/or demonized for their segxwal choices and experiences. I have documented this madness in a symbolic, short film called “Innocence & Patriarchy,” which you can find on Youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWfo1EJpNes#ws). I’m not advocating another segxwal revolution. All I want is for people to reconsider the current segxwal double-standard and hold the men in their lives accountable for their actions.
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