Virginity in Traditional Societies

[mimosa]

Had this thought from something in the Health forum:

Virginity before marriage is considered important by many people; it is a common concern for Muslims, but conservative or literalist interpretations of other faiths also insist upon it

The integrity of the hymen does not prove that a girl has abstained from sexual contact. Neither does a broken hymen suggest that she has had sex, there are many normal ways for it to break, even during chidlhood.

So why is this physical 'proof' of virginity given such importance in an educated society? Even now, many mothers in Oman examine the sheets for blood after the wedding night.

Isn't the word of a woman good enough? The man, after all, is taken at his word (if anyone even asks!).

[Sun]

Interesting topic Mimosa...
Ammm personaly , I believe that it should be between a man and a woman .You are right that hymen does not prove that a girl has abstained from sexual contact.Or a broken hymen meaning that she had sex.
I guess its a tradition that families tend to want to know if the woman was touched before hand or not .And it is there but not as strongly as it used to be .
I for one would not care less if she is or not providing she tells me the truth .As i wouldnt want to have a shock that My woman slept with tons of guys who maybe some of them my friends.

But again I think the man feels that he is the first and will be the last .
Most couple these days travel the same night on honeymoon to avoid such an embarrasement.

[X-press]

Great post mimosa and I believe we many times talked about it and it is a subject that will always catch great interest.

Virginity in the muslim world is a sign a respect and dignity for the girl as well as for her family.

Though I don't feel it is a necessity to show the sheet with blood on it as a prove of her broken virginity, it is still important for her husband to know that he is indeed the first and (hopefully) the last to touch her completly. There is no pride in knowing that a girl has been sleeping around with 10, 20, 50 men. It will be in a tribal society viewed as a shame and unfortunately this sense of dignity has been long lost in non-muslim countries.

[Arabian Princess]

ALthough I agree with x-press that virginty is a sense of respect for both the man and the woman. BUt I am totally aginst this white sheet issue (unfourtountly teh old posts are not here, there was a good discussion before about this issue). and it is totally unlawful to talk about what happens in the bedroom because that is a secret between the two couples.

I am so glad that Islam stresses the need for virginity, at least it consider any kind of intercourse outside the marraige vows totally forbiden, this at least limit the number of people doing it in the society.
I was once talking to a Catholic friend (from africa) and she was hoping that this virginty issue be stressed in thier religion again because the cases of pregnancy and other problems are high in her country.
I support virginty, but I dont support the physical proof that people are using now coz it is not a proof at !