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- Title
Virgins at age 26: who are they?
- Authors
Meuwly, Marion; Suris, Joan-Carles; Auderset, Diane; Stadelmann, Sophie; Barrense-Dias, Yara
- Abstract
Background Studies on virgins remain scarce. This study explores the characteristics of virgin young adults, the reasons for remaining virgin, and its potential social and health implications.<bold>Methods: </bold>Data were drawn from the 2017 Swiss study on sexual health and behaviour among young adults. A total of 5175 participants (mean age 26 years ± 0.01) were divided into virgins and non-virgins. Virginity was defined as never having had a sexual partner, defined as a person with whom the participant has had sexual contact with or without penetration.<bold>Results: </bold>A total of 275 (5.3% (95% CI: 4.7-6.0), 58% males) were virgins. Virgins had higher odds of being male (aOR: 2.27 (95% CI: 1.62-3.17)) and reporting poorer health (1.43 (1.07-1.92)). They had lower odds of living on their own (0.24 (0.18-0.32)), being satisfied with their social life (0.78 (0.72-0.85)), having experimented with substances (e.g. drunkenness, 0.27 (0.19-0.67)) and having used online dating (0.52 (0.26-1.12)) or pornography (0.67 (0.42-0.94)). The main reason for remaining virgin was 'I have not found the right person' for females, and 'I have not had the occasion' for males.<bold>Conclusions: </bold>Among young adults, 1 in 20 is a virgin. Virgins do not seem to have gone through the usual experimentations of adolescence, are less socially driven and reported more health challenges. The main reason for remaining a virgin reveals gender-stereotyped responses. Sexual inactivity among young adults should be considered by health professionals to ensure the absence of distress and open discussion for potential questions.
- Subjects
HUMAN sexuality; YOUNG adults; SOCIAL impact; HEALTH behavior; GENDER; RESEARCH; SEXUAL abstinence; RESEARCH methodology; MEDICAL cooperation; EVALUATION research; GENDER identity; COMPARATIVE studies
- Publication
Sexual Health (14485028), 2021, Vol 18, Issue 4, p327
- ISSN
1448-5028
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.1071/SH21019