[Motorguy]

Well a women doesn't have to have intercourse to have her hymen torn. This can happen by just being active in sports or just jogging can tear it as well. This happen to my two oldest daughters both there hymen was torn and they a sure me and there mother that they never had sex at 12 & 13. This was from a pelvic exam from there doctor,so he resure us that he had seen thousand of young women tear there hymens from being active in sports. So I will never believe a women can only lose there hymen being sexually active.

[jns]

In some places, virginity is only of concern if it about a female. It can be regained by the skills of a capable surgeon since an intact hymen is the standard. I really don't understand the concept.

[Stillness]

In those places it's probably about chastity and honor. They're measuring a woman's value based on her moral purity.

Men are expected to provide, not be chaste.

[Motorguy]

Well in some culture a women who's hymen been torn. They've are seen not pure and many women have been killed even if they was raped. I myself find it just down right stupid and wrong that you hinge your marriage and love for a women on that she's still a virgin.

[Stillness]

women have been killed even if they was raped

Sometimes I understand certain aspects of different cultures even if I don't agree or think they're ideal. I don't understand this one, though.

Incidentally, my step-mother-in-law married my father-in-law when she was in her late thirties and she was still a virgin. I don't know how big a factor that was in him wanting her, but it was a factor.

[DreamP346]

Now, please answer my question. Have the husband and wife had sex?

To Answer your question, yes they had sex although not sure what this has to do with a discussion about whether or not virginity is a social construct.

This was my answer. What I didn't say was that if they've had sex, they aren't a virgin. So the person who has only masturbated hasn't had sex and so is a virgin. The person who's partner is penetrating them with toys because they can't "have intercourse" has had sex and so they aren't a virgin.

So would majority of the world or just even in the US agree with your definition. I would venture to say no. As I have said repeated, sex and virginity are defined differently by different people. Their opinions differ based on their own ideas and values. THAT makes it a social construct. It is a concept created by social values. Not by science. Not by a single fact. Not by a majority accepted definition. The definition of social construct: a social mechanism, phenomenon, or category created and developed by society; a perception of an individual, group, or idea that is 'constructed' through cultural or social practice.

[Stillness]

To Answer your question, yes they had sex although not sure what this has to do with a discussion about whether or not virginity is a social construct.

Because virginity is defined by whether or not someone has had sex. The husband and wife aren’t virgins because, as you’re saying, they’ve had sex. Before they had sex they were virgins.

If that status doesn't mean anything to you, then that’s just your personal feeling about it. Apathy about a thing doesn't negate its existence, though.

[DreamP346]

Because virginity is defined by whether or not someone has had sex. The husband and wife aren’t virgins because, as you’re saying, they’ve had sex. Before they had sex they were virgins.

If that status doesn't mean anything to you, then that’s just your personal feeling about it. Apathy about a thing doesn't negate its existence, though.

Apathy is the exact opposite of what I feel about this subject.

You say the couple you describe are not virgins. So when did they lose their virginity? Can you give me a definite answer that is scientifically validated or even validated by majority opinion? I am still waiting for a definition that is universally accepted and not just YOUR definition of virginity. You are entitled to your opinions, but again, that is the definition of social construct. YOUR DEFINITION. YOUR OPINION. NOT FACT. NOT SCIENCE AND NOT EVEN MAJORITY DEFINED.

[jns]

There seems to be a disagreement based on definitions. As I pointed out earlier, one definition of virginity for a woman included an intact hymen, something that could be and sometimes is accomplished by surgery. Of course, not having children is also required since virgin births are quite rare. Further, lack of a prior or current intimate relationship would be required in most cases. Those are all physical requirements. The social construct part comes in where society promotes virginity as this ideal and as required. Many times the smoke is much bigger than the fire. The smoke can also cause damage, not just the fire. Mothers and fathers tell their daughters to save themselves for the right guy. Sometimes guys are put on a pedestal for being the first for a virgin. In some places, virginity is required and if the girl does not have an intact hymen, the marriage is called off and the results are a law suit or worse.

[Stillness]

You say the couple you describe are not virgins. So when did they lose their virginity?

When they had sex the first time.

I don't know what scientific validation would mean for this issue. It's not some arcane theory about the nature of the universe. It's a common, every day part of the human experience. The dictionary defines a virgin as someone who's not had sex.

You said the couple had sex because of their experience. In the same way, without sexual experience, it could be said that they had not had sex. Therefore they would be virgins. It's not based on subjectivity or how anyone feels any more than what you matter-of-factly stated as having sex is.