Social Perceptions on Virginity (Male)

[scientismo]

These are just my own anecdotal observations and by are no means constitutive of some formal argument. With that said, it seems to me that virginity gets a bad rap in Western society after a certain age. There are certain elements within our society that would assume something is wrong with an adult male who maintains their virginity; they are abnormal or their virgin status somehow calls for our sympathy.

I find it unreasonable to disagree with me to all extents. For, how better way to explain the popularity of comedy films like American Pie and 40 Year Old Virgin than the hilarity that accompanies adult male virginity? Surely some leeway is granted to young adult males because they are, at times, new and perhaps awkward to sexuality. Nevertheless, these males are on the clock.

Notably, there are exceptions to this rule. Religion seems to be a justifiable reason for maintaining one's virginity, but it would seem that other justifications are scarcely in existence. The general idea is blatantly clear: virginity is expected to be lost and this expectation is reinforced with social pressure.


What do you think?

[Sonny]

Isn't it an evolutionary thing? You reach sexual maturity and need to reproduce? Seeing someone who doesn't fit that mold goes against our primal instincts.

[scientismo]

Originally Posted by Sonny

Isn't it an evolutionary thing? You reach sexual maturity and need to reproduce? Seeing someone who doesn't fit that mold goes against our primal instincts.

Maybe. I tend to view it is a mere social construction. Evolutionary arguments would need to explain the leeway given to priests.

[icepick]

Originally Posted by scientismo

Maybe. I tend to view it is a mere social construction. Evolutionary arguments would need to explain the leeway given to priests.

Since religion is a social construction, evolutionary arguments really wouldn't have to. Cultural misunderstanding about libido and reproduction give way to dogmatic beliefs about virginity. Western culture, however, has seemed to embrace the "primal" side of sexuality as of late. This may be a byproduct of evolutionary biology's place on the forefront of scientific interest. That has affected our culture and the way we view sexuality. We have become less dogmatic about virginity and what it entails. So we are less restrictive about how we conduct ourselves sexually.

[Diomedes]

It is considered masculine to notch your belt with many female conquests. This is an unspoken (and sometimes spoken) fact.

Therefore, the longer it takes a man to 'notch' his first conquest, the less masculine he would be perceived to be.....and that leads to him being the subject of hilarity.

[scientismo]

Originally Posted by icepick

Since religion is a social construction, evolutionary arguments really wouldn't have to.

I disagree. They'd need to explain why this "social construction" is immune from those so-called evolutionary drives. Otherwise, it looks like special pleading.

[Diomedes]

I'd like to take that even further and say that I do think there is an evolutionary element to the notion that sex with many women is demonstrative of masculinity.

For the majority of human evolution, mating with a large number of females would ensure that your seed was passed on many times over. Those who were able to put themselves into position to mate with the most females were probably in positions of power or influence, if only at a base or pre-civilized level.

The ability to pass on your seed (sex with women) equaled either power and influence or the ability to survive, which can be considered 'masculine' in a basic sense.

[boxer steve]

Originally Posted by Diomedes

It is considered masculine to notch your belt with many female conquests. This is an unspoken (and sometimes spoken) fact.

Therefore, the longer it takes a man to 'notch' his first conquest, the less masculine he would be perceived to be.....and that leads to him being the subject of hilarity.

Which makes zero sense A lot of the girly guys get the action while the guys who would pummel those girly guys go un-noticed.

It is considered un-cool to be a virgin. Why I have no idea. I think kids equate it with maturity. Yet alot of people old enough to know better think the same way. Also I think it may be a status symbol. I got laid and you didnt therefore people like me better.

Oh how flawwed we are.

[scientismo]

Originally Posted by Diomedes

It is considered masculine to notch your belt with many female conquests. This is an unspoken (and sometimes spoken) fact.

Your language is interesting. Females are "conquests". In other words, they are to be conquered, won and dominated. I agree that this is often the perception, although i'd resist any effort to argue this perception to be morally permissible.

[Diomedes]

Originally Posted by boxer steve

Which makes zero sense A lot of the girly guys get the action while the guys who would pummel those girly guys go un-noticed.

It makes 0 sense *now*.

It's a holdover instinct that still manifests itself in societal behavior today.