I voted it's kind of important. I think sex maybe not the concept of virginity per se but sex itself is an intimate act that is better done in a loving relationship. However I'm not much of a one night stand person so maybe for others it's different. To them maybe it doesn't matter nearly as much. Personally for me I was not comfortable having sex until early this year with my current partner, even though I have had previous relationships. I think I had a lot of religious fears to overcome from my childhood and only recently have healed from it. I wouldn't have minded if I had have had sex in my previous relationships, but I'm kind of glad I waited until I was ready because my previous relationships weren't really mature enough to go there anyway I think. My current relationship is mature and means much more to me, and maybe that's what I needed to open myself up that way - emotional security. I have often thought I am demi-sexual (only experience sexual attraction after an emotional bond has already been established).
How important was losing my virginity? Was it a positive or negative experience? It was kind of important, I think it took me a week or so to get over the fact I'd finally done it, and it felt like I'd made some kind of womanly transition, but the experience itself was positive and it surprised me, as I always expected to feel depressed afterwards. Instead I was kind of elated like on an emotional high, and although my partner wasn't a virgin he was pleased that I was pleased and we went out and celebrated actually. I didn't approach the whole thing as a big deal either which is why I think my reaction afterwards surprised me. Perhaps because of all my ingrained religious fears when I finally faced it and got it over with I was proud of myself for overcoming my limitations.
I'm not married... never been married. I think each person should have sex at an age they feel is right for them. I recently saw a post elsewhere from a 16 year old girl who was raised religious too but she had thought a lot about wanting to lose her virginity and was very mature in her approach and so even though to me she seems young, I think that because on both a rational and emotional level she feels it to be right for her, I think she should definitely go and do it and have that experience. If she's ready now and is being responsible about it all (safe sex, etc), what would she gain from waiting any longer? It's up to each individual then I think what age is right for them. The only time it wouldn't be right at any age is by not taking precautions and then ending up with an STI or a pregnancy. But then you live and learn, and maybe that's what they needed for their experience too.
