'With This Ring I Do Thee Virgin': Virginity Rings, Balls, and Contracts as New Methods to Facilitate Discourse about Female Virginity

• In Event: Creating Stability in the Midst of Changes Surrounding Parent-Child Communication about Sex

Abstract

This paper explores changes in methods used to facilitate conversations between parents and children about sex and sexuality, particularly the preservation of their virginity. The researcher examined several texts, including virginity rings (rings worn by teenage women that serve as a promise to their parents that they will remain virgins until married), virginity balls (elaborate public dances where fathers take their daughters as dates and enact a public ceremony where daughters pledge pre-marital virginity to their fathers), and virginity contracts (contracts parents ask young teenage women sign promising their virginity until marriage). This investigation provided insight into the role parents and guardians are expected to play in their children’s sex and sexuality, including initiating sexual conversations and how virginity rings, balls, and contacts are being used to facilitate discourse between parents and children about sex.

Author

• Jimmie Manning, Northern Kentucky University