Born-Again Virgin? New handle, please....

This born-again virgin movement has sired several books, and appears to be growing. But that label....

Don't get me wrong, I extend my admiration towards those who choose the path of abstinence for spiritual or holistic reasons. In lieu of this MTV-Sex and the City-reality-show dating culture, restraint could be construed as an act of virtue, if not altogether rebellious.

But born-again *virgin* (BAV)? Does this handle sound a bit odd to anyone else? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I assumed that virginity could only be lost once--never to return. Are we to cheapen something so prized due to the whims of thousands of people who had a few bad nights (or many)? There's something so false about it. It's as if the name was christened by the cult of Oprah--an eerie possibility, to be sure.

Leave it to Americans to savage one of the most potent words in the English vernacular in their attempt to wipe the proverbial slate clean.

I'd like teens and young adults to be sexually responsible. I don't care if they're abstinent or not, nor do I want them to burden themselves with guilt over mistakes they may have made in the past or regrets they may have.

Guilt should be eschewed, for it is destructive to the psyche.

But while I'm politically far-left (I'm a socialist), my sensibilities are quite traditional. I think virginity *is* something to be cherished. This notion is not exclusive to fundamentalists and zealots; rather, it is held sacred by billions all the world over.

Keep in mind that this topic revolves around the value of a word, more than it does sexual politics.

Societies have placed a high value on female virginity (never male) as a way to control women's sexuality and enforce patriarchy.

I respect your right to have that viewpoint, of course.

...but as the most valid point that abstinence is the only 100% sure way of preventing pregnancy, diseases, etc. But if abstinence fails then let me show you about Condoms, BCP, and other sexually responsible stuff.

As for "Born-Again Virgins" that's just a corny phrase that is no different than the movement in teenagers where they'll do anything BUT vaginal intercourse, which includes anal & oral sex. The women feel as long as their hyman is attached at marriage then they are somehow still a virgin :eyes:

I agree that Bush's abstinence-only sex-ed plan is disasterous; children should be taught about condoms and other safeguards.

Let them call themselves what they wish. A rose is still a rose.

Or:

"If we had more men like you...
we'd have LESS men like you!"