How virginity enhances masculinity in contemporary Vietnam

This study examines the social and cultural§relationship between masculinity and virginity in§Hanoi, Vietnam. Taking a qualitative approach, I§conducted 20 in-depth interviews and four focus group§discussions with male and female students. This study§reveals that female virginity is a key cultural§concern among young educated men and women.§Traditionally, virginity was measured not only by an§intact hymen, but was also demonstrated by the§dignity, faith, and love of a woman. The study§suggests that there were two forms of male§expectation regarding female virginity. The male§group that highly valued virginity found it§impossible to accept female partners who were not§virgins. To protect their masculinity, these men§ended their relationships when this fact was§confessed to them. The second male group valued§virginity a bit less and these men were more able to§accept the fact that their partners virginity was lost such that they could forgive their female§partners but only if this loss resulted from a§physical accident that damaged the hymen or through§sexual coercion. Ultimately, this study found that§marrying a virgin helps men enhance their social§reputation and masculinity.