My Hymen, My Rules by Lauren Ann Rayos Del Sol https://padlet.com/llrayosdelsol/k5qkjyg8y4nfrgzb Here to deconstruct female virginity. en-us 2023-01-08 03:24:36 UTC 2026-02-28 21:23:45 UTC hello@padlet.com Female virginity has been a long-standing social construct plaguing women since the 14th century when Mariology started flourishing. At this time, Byzantine theologians started believing that Mary was the center of the cosmos. This concept became more rooted around the Middle Ages when Mary was branded the "New Eve," slightly bettering the image of women. llrayosdelsol https://padlet.com/llrayosdelsol/k5qkjyg8y4nfrgzb/wish/2436583134 2023-01-08 03:26:41 UTC https://padlet.com/llrayosdelsol/k5qkjyg8y4nfrgzb/wish/2436583134 "If you do not marry me, I shall be ruined" llrayosdelsol https://padlet.com/llrayosdelsol/k5qkjyg8y4nfrgzb/wish/2436585023 The idea of virginity was used to subdue women and their sexual urges. Women were told to wait until marriage or else their chances of getting married would be non-existent, and they would be deemed worthless by their families and society. Afraid of these consequences, they were forced to conform to this ridiculous standard. Women who didn't were labeled as ruined and outcasts. ]]> 2023-01-08 03:35:38 UTC https://padlet.com/llrayosdelsol/k5qkjyg8y4nfrgzb/wish/2436585023 In verifying a woman's virtue, virginity testing is done by a doctor or a high-ranking official. This test is conducted by putting two fingers in the woman's vagina to check if her hymen is still intact, but this is not enough basis. Hymens take different shapes and sizes, and not all women have one. The fact that a woman's worth and life lie on this small muscle is outrageous. While women are judged based on the presence of their hymen, there is no telling if a man is still a "virgin" or not. A man's sexual life is not a critical matter then and now. Men engage in sexual activities freely without worrying about putting their lives or future at stake. llrayosdelsol https://padlet.com/llrayosdelsol/k5qkjyg8y4nfrgzb/wish/2436586014 2023-01-08 03:40:37 UTC https://padlet.com/llrayosdelsol/k5qkjyg8y4nfrgzb/wish/2436586014 Although virginity is not scientifically nor medically proven, this social construct withstood the passage of time, reaching the contemporary age. This has been an inescapable concept used to gauge a woman's worth. As times changed, this has been challenged, and sex positivity has been the response and rebuttal to this in the 21st century. Women of today do not let this ludicrous ideal dictate what they do with their bodies. llrayosdelsol https://padlet.com/llrayosdelsol/k5qkjyg8y4nfrgzb/wish/2436586146 2023-01-08 03:41:14 UTC https://padlet.com/llrayosdelsol/k5qkjyg8y4nfrgzb/wish/2436586146 llrayosdelsol https://padlet.com/llrayosdelsol/k5qkjyg8y4nfrgzb/wish/2436591020 2023-01-08 04:04:23 UTC https://padlet.com/llrayosdelsol/k5qkjyg8y4nfrgzb/wish/2436591020 llrayosdelsol https://padlet.com/llrayosdelsol/k5qkjyg8y4nfrgzb/wish/2436611102 2023-01-08 05:41:38 UTC https://padlet.com/llrayosdelsol/k5qkjyg8y4nfrgzb/wish/2436611102 llrayosdelsol https://padlet.com/llrayosdelsol/k5qkjyg8y4nfrgzb/wish/2436612461 2023-01-08 05:45:57 UTC https://padlet.com/llrayosdelsol/k5qkjyg8y4nfrgzb/wish/2436612461 In the 17th century, Aphra Behn wrote two revolutionary works, “The Disappointment” and “The Willing Mistress.” Her works are known to reflect women who are promiscuous and unapologetic. They have embraced their sexuality, which society deemed unacceptable, especially during her time. She was heavily criticized for writing such scandalous works, but she continued regardless and became an inspiration to the next generation of female writers. Aphra also believes that the reception to her works would be different if she were a man. Ultimately, she pioneered writing about strong female characters and liberated them from common stereotypes. She empowered her characters by allowing them to engage in sexual activities and be equals with their partners. llrayosdelsol https://padlet.com/llrayosdelsol/k5qkjyg8y4nfrgzb/wish/2436752591 2023-01-08 12:56:58 UTC https://padlet.com/llrayosdelsol/k5qkjyg8y4nfrgzb/wish/2436752591 However, Aphra is just the odd one out. Most writers from the 17th century wrote about prudes and virtuous women. Jane Barker, a notable poet from this era, was the opposite of Aphra Behn. She is more tamed and less blatant about societal issues, nevertheless, she also doesn’t shy away from writing about empowered women. In her poem “A Virgin Life,” virtue is highly regarded. This poem presents a chaste woman perceived as the ideal woman. The speaker in the poem is an unmarried woman who remained celibate. She venerates Mary and aspires to be as virtuous as her. Overall, Jane’s female characterization coincides more with the ideal image of women in her lifetime. llrayosdelsol https://padlet.com/llrayosdelsol/k5qkjyg8y4nfrgzb/wish/2436752950 2023-01-08 12:57:53 UTC https://padlet.com/llrayosdelsol/k5qkjyg8y4nfrgzb/wish/2436752950 Over time, women have changed their minds and decided to take ownership of their beings and bodies. Concepts surrounding female virginity changed because of how persistent women liberated themselves from the dictates of men and then spoke their truths. This movement manifested in their writings even when they faced harsh societal judgments, especially from men. Through writing, they challenged this severely problematic standard placed on women. They were able to create different and empowered female characters as a form of retaliation. llrayosdelsol https://padlet.com/llrayosdelsol/k5qkjyg8y4nfrgzb/wish/2436758020 2023-01-08 13:08:58 UTC https://padlet.com/llrayosdelsol/k5qkjyg8y4nfrgzb/wish/2436758020 llrayosdelsol https://padlet.com/llrayosdelsol/k5qkjyg8y4nfrgzb/wish/2436761676 In contemporary times, the poem “Loose” by Daphine Arinda speaks about owning her femininity and sexuality and refusing to be confined by the standards of men. This poem responds to the negative connotations attached to the word “loose” because it has been general knowledge that a loose woman is disgraceful, but Arinda changes this and takes this word as her own. The woman in the poem continues to live loosely, unyielding, and callously regardless of what society says. ]]> 2023-01-08 13:17:05 UTC https://padlet.com/llrayosdelsol/k5qkjyg8y4nfrgzb/wish/2436761676 References llrayosdelsol https://padlet.com/llrayosdelsol/k5qkjyg8y4nfrgzb/wish/2436797488 2023-01-08 14:30:14 UTC https://padlet.com/llrayosdelsol/k5qkjyg8y4nfrgzb/wish/2436797488