The Hymen Myths

The article, “Bleeding to live: Hymen restoration practices in Pakistan and the moral panic around women’s virginity”, discusses the physical evidence that is needed to keep Pakistani women safe. The content of this article is dense and focuses on the intersection of religion, sexuality, and the role of gender. I specifically was intrigued by the theme that there is a surgery that is in place to restore women’s hymens. In American culture, specifically in the media, many young girls are cultivated to believe when they lose their virginity their hymen will tear and signal that they are “officially” no longer a virgin. However, in academia and more reliable sources, it is discussed at great lengths the myths about the hymen. I thought it was interesting that the false beliefs about the hymen also exist in a different culture. Additionally, I think this uneducated attitude regarding female genital reinforces that there needs to be more realistic and adequate sex education especially pertaining to females.