I grew up in purity culture, hearing all the time how special and important virginity is. But when I moved out, I slept with a man the first chance I got. Why? Because I knew, even with my indoctrination, that nobody’s dick was important enough to change any part of my worth or identity. The whole idea of female virginity and "purity" has always been about control. In the past, a woman's worth was tied to whether or not she was a virgin, as if her value started and ended with what she did or didn't do with her body. It was never about holiness or purity. It was about keeping women in check. Fast forward to now, and you'd think we would have moved past it. But no. When the patriarchy realized women were going to have sex whether they liked it or not, they just changed the rules. Enter the whole "body count" nonsense. Suddenly, the number of partners you've had is supposed to determine your value. If it's "too high," you're seen as used up, as if you're a car that loses value with mileage spent on the road. And we all know, this isn't the same for men. They aren't held at the same unrealistic standards as women. The double standard couldn't be louder if it tried. At the end of the day, this has never been about sex. It's always been about power and trying to keep women small, ashamed, and easy to control. It's an old, outdated and boring take.