The virginity fraud | Nina Dølvik Brochmann and Ellen Støkken Dahl

Summary

Nina Dølvik Brochmann and Ellen Støkken Dahl debunk the myths surrounding the hymen as proof of virginity, revealing that the belief in bleeding and the hymen's disappearance post-intercourse is scientifically inaccurate. They discuss the cultural and religious implications of these myths, which have been used to control women's sexuality and lead to harmful practices like honor killings and virginity checks. The speakers, medical professionals and authors of 'The Wonder Down Under,' advocate for ending the virginity fraud and educate on the hymen's true anatomy and function, promoting a change in societal attitudes towards women's bodies.

Takeaways

• 🌟 The belief that the hymen is proof of virginity is a myth that has been debunked by medical science.
• 🩸 The first myth is that the hymen breaks and bleeds during the first instance of vaginal sex, which is not always the case.
• 🚫 The second myth is that the hymen disappears or is significantly altered after the first sexual intercourse, which is also incorrect.
• 🌐 These myths have cultural significance and have been used to control women's sexuality across various cultures, religions, and historical periods.
• 🛑 Women have faced mistrust, shaming, harm, and even honor killings due to the belief in these myths, especially if they do not bleed on their wedding night.
• 🔍 Virginity checks, like those forced upon female protesters in Egypt or women joining the military in Indonesia, are based on these myths and are degrading.
• 💔 Fear of not conforming to hymen myths has led women to resort to 'virginity quick fixes' like plastic surgery, using fake blood, or purchasing fake hymens.
• 🚫 The idea that the hymen is a seal that can be visually inspected to determine virginity is false and has been debunked for over a century.
• 🌈 The hymen's appearance varies widely, often resembling a doughnut or half-moon shape, and can have multiple holes or fringes, making virginity checks unreliable.
• 🌱 The focus should be on education and changing cultural attitudes rather than perpetuating myths about the hymen to control women's sexuality.

Q & A

What are the two main myths about the hymen that the speakers discuss?

The two main myths discussed are that the hymen breaks and bleeds during the first time a woman has vaginal sex, and that it disappears or is radically altered after the first intercourse, which can be used to determine if a woman is a virgin by examining her genitals.

Why do the speakers say that the myths about the hymen are harmful?

The myths are harmful because they have been used to control women's sexuality across various cultures, religions, and historical periods, leading to mistrust, shaming, harm, and even honor killings if women do not bleed on their wedding night.

What is the actual medical understanding of the hymen according to the speakers?

Medically, the hymen is a rim of tissue at the outer opening of the vagina, often with a doughnut or half-moon shape and a large central hole. It varies naturally in looks and can be elastic enough to handle vaginal intercourse without damage, contrary to the myths.

How do the speakers use the hula hoop analogy to explain the misconception about the hymen?

The speakers use the hula hoop as an analogy to show that the hymen is not like a seal or plastic wrap that can be easily broken and identified as 'damaged'. Instead, the hymen is elastic and can stretch like a scrunchie, maintaining its function and appearance even after intercourse.

What historical evidence do the speakers provide to debunk the myth that the hymen must break during first intercourse?

The speakers refer to a study from 1906 by Norwegian doctor Marie Jeancet, who examined a middle-aged sex worker and found her genitalia to be similar to that of a teenage virgin, indicating that hymens do not necessarily break or show damage from sexual intercourse.

Why is it difficult to perform a 'virginity check' according to the script?

Performing a 'virginity check' is difficult because hymens naturally vary in appearance, and it's hard to determine if a dent or fold is due to previous damage or is just a normal anatomical variant.

What is the speakers' stance on the use of the hymen as a proof of virginity?

The speakers are against using the hymen as a proof of virginity, as it is not a reliable indicator and using it as such is a form of control over women's sexuality.

What alternative do the speakers propose to the concept of virginity checks?

The speakers propose not using any physical 'proof' of virginity and instead advocate for open communication and respect for a woman's choice regarding her sexual history.

How do the speakers suggest changing the cultural and religious control over women's sexuality?

The speakers suggest that as medical professionals, their contribution is to educate people about the true nature of the hymen and debunk the myths surrounding it, which can help remove one of the tools used to control young women.

What is the significance of the title 'The Wonder Down Under' mentioned in the script?

The title 'The Wonder Down Under' refers to a popular science book written by the speakers about the female genitals, which aims to educate and inform about the anatomy and functions of the female reproductive system, including the hymen.