Recent research has highlighted that off-time sexual transitions such as maintaining virginity into adulthood are often experienced as a stigma. Based on stigma and identity theories, adult virginity is conceptualized as a concealable and stigmatized identity. The literature on concealable stigmatized identities emphasizes the significance of their disclosure and the personal and interpersonal consequences of their concealment. The present study explored personal and social experiences of adult virginity i. Data was analysed using directed content analysis and two main conceptual categories were identified: a Framing virginity: Making sense of not having sex, and b Disclosure and concealment: Managing virginity stigma. Participants perceived the meaning of their virginity as likely to endure despite its anticipated temporary nature and described the risk of losing a relationship opportunity as present whether they disclosed or concealed their virginity. The results of this study highlight the need to challenge virginity stigma by increasing awareness and the visibility of adult virginity as an identity. Implications for sexuality educators, clinicians and researchers are discussed and focus on interventions that frame adult virginity as a form of sexual diversity. For more information, view our Privacy Policy.
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The Atlantic Crossword
Well, maybe my friends were just sluts, but we never did that. We preferred to daydream about our first fuck. Or something equally embarrassing. But our idyllic deflowering fantasies rarely came to fruition. In reality, most girls from my school lost their virginity slumped against a tree in an apple orchard, bark jabbing uncomfortably into their spines, in between rounds of beer pong. Not particularly romantic, but kind of patriotic? First times are so fraught with expectation and often end in disappointment.
About Cathy Borders
Some are smart and conniving, some as dumb as a bag of hammers. Some are literally evil, some just high school evil. Join us as we count down the 27 meanest high school girls in the movies…. Ad — content continues below.
Below are all the stories from female readers recalling times when doctors dismissed, downplayed, or misdiagnosed their painful health conditions. To join, email hello theatlantic. A reader adds another story to the nascent series :. When I was about 16 years old, I passed out when I got home from school.
