The Real Stigma of Virginity

With a marked change from previous generations, Kinsey researchers found that sexually inexperienced people perceive themselves stigmatized by their sexual status. Similarly, being a virgin may limit dating opportunities, as heterosexual singles seeking committed partners reported that they were less likely to be interested in a person who was not sexually experienced. This was especially true for virgins.

Amanda Gesselman, Assistant Research Scientist at the Kinsey Institute, clarified that, for this study, “virginity” refers to not having had vaginal penetrative intercourse. Gesselman and co-authors Justin Garcia, Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, and Gregory Webster, University of Florida, published their findings in the Journal of Sex Research.

Study: “Has Virginity Lost Its Virtue? Relationship Stigma Associated with Being a Sexually Inexperienced Adult” 

Also read: Viewpoint: "Has virginity lost its virtue? Kinsey study finds adults who wait to have sex are stigmatized"

Study Reveals Sexting Attitudes and Behaviors

A new study shows that although most people who engage in sexting expect their messages to remain private, nearly one in four people are sharing the sexual messages they receive.

The study, “Sexting Among U.S. Singles: Prevalence of sending, receiving, and sharing sexual messages and images,” was conducted by Kinsey Institute faculty Justin Garcia and Amanda Gesselman, along with affiliates Shadia Siliman (Gender Studies), Brea Perry (Sociology and IU Network Science Institute), Kathryn Coe (IU Fairbanks School of Public Health), and Helen Fisher (Kinsey Institute Senior Research Fellow).

“There has been a lot of public concern about sexting practices, but there hasn’t been enough research examining how people perceive and experience the relative costs and benefits of sexting,” Garcia said.