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Markkula Center for Applied Ethics

The Big Q Blog

man and woman sitting down on furniture

man and woman sitting down on furniture

I Want to Remain a Virgin

Katherine's boyfriend presses her for sex.

Katherine entered college with a very high standard for herself regarding sex. She is proud of her choice to remain a virgin until marriage. Now she has met the most amazing guy during the fall term of her freshman year. Max, her boyfriend, believes physical affection and even sex are important ways of showing how much two people care for each other. He has pressed Katherine to express their growing romance sexually, but so far she has said no.

Should Katherine revise her beliefs about sex because someone she respects and wants to have a deep relationship with believes differently? His views are probably the mainstream views among their friends, she realizes.

Should Max keep pressing her for sex? Is his bringing it up often a legitimate part of his wanting to express his love for her? Or do his frequent suggestions show a lack of respect for her beliefs?

 

Some resources you may find useful:

A Framework for Ethical Decision Making 

More College Hookups, but More Virgins Too

10 Truly Shocking Stats on STDs and College Students

 

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