Adulthood Quote by Peggy Orenstein
“We continue to think of virginity as first intercourse. That ends up minimizing and marginalizing other things kids are engaged in, like oral sex. And it's not going to feel particularly good for girls as the big marker of adulthood.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Girls & Sex, Peggy Orenstein, 2013
Defining virginity solely by first intercourse marginalizes diverse sexual experiences and pressures girls.
In simple terms: Virginity definition is too narrow.
Key Takeaway
Respect all sexual experiences.
Themes
gender
sexuality
identity
Mood
critical
empathetic
Type
educational
social
When to use this quote
- teen education
- parental guidance
- media representation
Key Concepts
feminist theory
sexual health
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we broaden sexual narratives?
- What impact does narrow virginity have on teens?
A Different Perspective
Cultural norms can resist broader definitions.
![“Saying "yes" [to sexual activity] is a pretty low baseline for sexual experience and I wanted to write about what was happening to girls after "yes."” quote by Peggy Orenstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac7/peggy-orenstein-11585_activity_saying-yes-to-sexual-activity-is-a-prett_369759.jpg)
