The Cult Of Virginity And Virginity - 969 Words

For centuries people have made decisions or assumptions of others based solely upon what they choose to do in their respective privacies. Societal institutions ranging from schools to religious affiliations have created guidelines surrounding sexual activity that determine when and if it should be done. While the topic of virginity may be taboo for some, people fail to realize the social stigmas associated with the term in itself. In â€Å"The Cult of Virginity†, the author succeeds at illuminating the notion that virginity is a socially constructed term that invokes or revokes the morality of women. Valenti does an excellent job of challenging the societal standards regarding virginity by comparing them to her personal experiences as well as referencing the observations of other authors. Personally, I first encountered the term around the sixth grade. One of my more developed peers came to school raving about how she â€Å"lost it† and how she was now â€Å"a womanâ⠂¬ . At that naà ¯ve age I had absolutely no idea what she was talking about and immediately went home to discuss the topic with my mother. With widened eyes and a dropped jaw, my mother went into a full lecture about how that activity was reserved for only married, adult persons and should be kept â€Å"sacred† until then. Furthermore, I had to disassociate myself with that particular individual from that point onward. Granted, even though a child shouldn’t be engaging in any form of sexual activity at such a young age, fast forwardShow MoreRelatedCult Of Virginity Essay854 Words   |  4 PagesThe concept of virginity has been used for thousands of years as a measure of woman’s value and worth, families giving away their daughters and being publicly ashamed if the gift was secondhand and spoiled. Considering that it was in a receiver’s best interest to purchase the unused good and the receiver was largely male, it is reasonable to conclude that virgi nity was defined and designed by those in power, male dominated institutions and societal structures. However, although intimate relationshipsRead More chronicle of a death foretold Essay1263 Words   |  6 Pagesnothing evil could happen when the bishop was coming to their town. Therefore they never believed all the threats that were made toward the main character, Nasr Santiago. The communal values evolve around religious events, having family honor and virginity. â€Å"Although the Church’s betrayal is many-sided, the bishop’s arrival symbolizes its failure most clearly.† (pg 195, Arnold Penuel). Everyone was concerned with his/her own forgiveness and being blessed by the bishop. Even the priest did not preventRead MoreWomen s Creative Power Within The Bible As Being Worshipped, By All Of Asia And The World1363 Words   |  6 Pagesworship occurred during the time of Jesus, as seen through Paul’s encounter involving the goddess Diana; which developed into being worshipped by all of Asia and the world, Acts 19:27. Plausibly, women developed into being conditioned to give-up their virginity and enter into the service of the goddess by consenting to the ‘sacred marriage’ initiated by the priests. Oftentimes this ritual became consummated with a device used as a phallus; either way, the women would give her creative powers to the priestsRead MoreArtemis Temple Essay1169 Words   |  5 PagesAncient Ephe sus was known across the Greek world for its devotion to the goddess Artemis and for its monumental temple dedicated to her. Greek Artemis was a goddess of virginity, women’s concerns, the hunt and the underworld (1). She was also the daughter of Zeus and Leto and the twin of Apollo. To her dedication, The Temple of Artemis was built, which is known as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Iconic Temple of Artemis resides in the ancient city of Ephesus which is now TurkeyRead MoreThe Ethics Of Sexual Power781 Words   |  4 Pagesgoddess worship occurred during the time of Jesus, as seen through Paul’s encounter involving the goddess Diana; which developed into being worshipped by all of Asia and the world (Acts 19:27). Furthermore, women became influenced to give-up their virginity and enter into the service of the goddess by consenting to the ‘sacred marriage’ initiated by the priests. Often times this ritual occurred consummated with a de vice used as a phallus; either way, the women would give her creative powers to theRead MoreThe Gods Of The Ancient World1105 Words   |  5 Pagesidentified with various words; such as â€Å"whore(s), whoredom(s). harlot(s), pollute or polluted;† (which can mean prostitute) that encounters being mentioned frequently. The prophets of the Bible warned regarding whoring after other gods and goddesses and the cult prostitutes developed among the numerous idols the Israelites lusted after. In addition, the term ‘goddess’ takes place only five times in the text; however, there occurs various terms used to reference her high existence. The word abomination(s)Read MoreCultural Values Of Womanhood In Breath, Eyes, Memory By Edwidge Danticat1089 Words   |  5 Pagesto be personally touched by her mother. Martine tries to justify her actions/†protection† with her rape situation in the past and how they treated her as a girl.It got out of control and this is a great example: â€Å"I have heard it compared to a virginity cult, our mothers obsession with keeping us pure and chaste. My mother always listened to the echo of my urine in the toilet, for if it was too loud it meant that I had been deflowered. I learned very early in life that virgins always took smallRead MoreThe Goddesses : The Gods1159 Words   |  5 Pagessuch as â€Å"whore(s), whoredom(s), harlot(s), pollute or polluted;† (which can mean prostitute) that encounters being refe renced frequently. Intrinsically, the prophets of the Bible caution against whoring after the other gods and goddesses; whereby, the cult prostitutes developed among the numerous idols the Israelites lusted after. In addition, the term ‘goddess’ takes place only five times in the manuscript; however, there occurs various terminology used to reference her high existence. The word abomination(s)Read More Hegemonic Masculinity in American Society Essay1497 Words   |  6 Pagesled to the rise of gender stereotypes and the two cults of true womanhood and two spheres. According to the earlier cult, a woman was judged on four cardinal principals of purity, piety, domesticity, and submissiveness. The architects of this cult held that the power of a true woman that promised success and happiness was vested in the four virtues. The virtues of piety and purity expected women to observe religious counsel and maintain their virginity before marriage as a symbol of honor. The lossRead MoreThe Role of Women in Religion: An Investigation774 Words   |  3 Pagesones. If ones husband is opposes to the group she is encouraged to separate from him. According to them, religion comes first. Founded in 1994 by Mary Sheridan, the group operates as registered charitable organization. Critics claim the group is a cult and controlled by the influence of Mary Sheridan (Nolan, 2004). The members revere Mary Sheridan and consult her on everything. They meet five times a week and critics consider the leaders as prosperity theologians, who persuade their members to give