There is so much illogical pressure surrounding this topic, and so much diversity when it comes to opinions. None of them are right, or wrong- but society shapes the perception of men and women so differently, I wanted to explore it.

Girls:

1.

“I don’t want to lose it to just anyone. I want it to be special, maybe romantic like a scene in a cliché movie. I want them to be the first person I fall in love with.”

— Jessica, 17

2.

“I’m waiting at least until I am engaged. I want to know that whoever I lose it to is not just going to leave right after. I want reassurance that he is going to stay.”

— Kathryn, 19

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3.

“I lost it to my ex boyfriend my sophomore year of high school. I’ve been in a committed relationship for almost two years now and sometimes I wish I would have waited for him.”

— Jenna, 18

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4.

“I’m a Christian, but aside from doing what I have been taught, I am scared.”

— Kelsey, 16

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5.

“It seriously happened one drunk night in college, kind of embarrassing. I didn’t even know the guys name and every friend I told about that situation they were so disgusted because most of them were in serious relationships.”

— Alex, 19

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6.

“I guess I was so busy in high school working on school work and trying to get into a good college, once I accomplished that, I started to explore outside of my comfort zone and I then met my boyfriend of six months who I lost it to.”

— Carly, 18

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7.

“I’ve been dating this guy for a year. He wants to have sex really badly, but I want to keep waiting. I want to give it to him at the right time, I don’t want it to be too soon that I regret it.”

— Kylie, 17

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8.

“I like sex. I don’t see what the big deal is. I’m in college; I’m doing it in a safe way. I lost my virginity when I was 16, which now being a psych major I think my brain wasn’t developed enough, nor was I ready for it. But it happened, oh well.”

— Emma, 22

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9.

“I lost mine when I was 15. I was heartbroken after. So now I just tell my sisters to wait until they are married or for sure about the relationship so hopefully that spares them some pain.”

— Melissa, 26

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10.

“I want to make sure it’s the right person. It shouldn’t be with just any. I’m not that kind of girl. I think I will just know when it’s the right person.”

— Maddi, 17

Boys:

1.

“All of my friends lost it their freshman year of high school and always teased me for wanting to wait until I had a girlfriend or at least someone I liked.”

— Kyle, 22

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2.

“I just wanted to get it over with. People care too much about it. All of my friends were rooting me on, I was just trying to rush it and move on.”

— Jacob, 19

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3.

“Losing your virginity as a guy was one of the most embarrassing things I have ever gone through. I don’t wish it on my enemy.”

— Scott, 26

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4.

“I was at a party. I was so drunk, I don’t even remember her name I just remember it happening and then waking up in the morning alone.”

— Tynan, 18

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5.

“Girls care so much more than guys. Guys do care, at least I did, but it wasn’t something I beat myself up for like they seemed to do.”

— Joseph, 25

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6.

“I had a girlfriend at the time. It was cool. Some guys think its gross, what the girl body does. But it’s natural, part of life, it was all fine.”

— Brayden, 17

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7.

“I was a jerk about it. It wasn’t what I expected. I don’t know, I was young. I am going to urge my sons to treat them with respect. Everyone seems to rave about how awesome it is, I didn’t think it was that fascinating- just kind of part of life.”

— Darren, 31

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8.

“Virginity is overrated. Granted, I had a serious girlfriend at the time that I lost it to and I really did like her. But it’s so talked up.”

— Kevin, 19

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9.

“I would encourage everyone to lose their virginity to someone they really care about, it just makes it more intimate and cool. It’s not a life or death situation if you don’t, I just recommend it.”

— Marcus, 24

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10.

“My friends and I all messed with each other about it. Almost every guy I know just wants to get it over with. Not in a disrespectful way, its just something we have always been taught to treat like nothing. Its really not a big deal.”

— James, 20