In “‘Am I Still a Virgin?”: What Counts as Sex in 20 Years of Seventeen,” author Stephanie R. Medley-Rath aims to determine what is considered sex by analyzing two decades worth of Seventeen magazine sex columns, coding for specific wording relating to virginity to see differences that occur over the course of time. Medley-Rath then uses this analysis to discuss how Seventeen’s definition of what constitutes sex may be heteronormative and perpetuate a sexual double standard. She begins by describing the various social constructions of virginity, including the significance of virginity and differences one might see in the significance that is placed upon men’s and women’s virginity. She continues by analyzing different views on what is considered …show more content…
They also note that non-sexual penetration, such as tampon insertion and gynecological exams, do not result in the loss of virginity. She then analyzes “spontaneous virginity responses,” in which Seventeen offers unsolicited opinions on what is considered the loss of virginity, even if the question is not directly asked. Furthermore, they sometimes offer opinions on what is considered sex when readers ask questions about safe sex, such as when a reader asked if “dry sex” was safe and the magazine concluded that it was not because penetration was occurring, meaning that the two were having real sex. Finally, the magazine notes that there can be emotional and physical differences between virgins and nonvirgins, such as the physical risk of becoming pregnant. Medley-Rath concludes by considering the way in which Seventeen’s portrayal of virginity can reinforce heteronormativity by deeming penile-vaginal intercourse as the only method of losing one’s virginity. This viewpoint excludes gay, lesbian, and some transgender individuals from loss of