Minnesotan Starts Viral Conversation On Virginity
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A Minnesota native is creating a buzz on social media with an article she wrote for Salon Magazine.
It had been on her mind for a few years, so Ellen Burkhardt decided to write about why she's choosing to wait to have sex until marriage.
"I firmly believe that in order to have sex with someone you should love them, and personally, I've never been in love," Burkhardt said.
Her article on the subject in Salon went viral and started a conversation.
"Clearly I've hit a nerve, and maybe more people feel the way I do, then we realize and they've just been too intimidated to share that perspective," she said.
The 26-year-old was raised Christian. She has a healthy dating life, supportive family, solid friends and a successful career.
"You can live a normal, fun life and date a lot and still be considered 'normal' by society standards and not go there," Burkhardt said.
And yet, when she tells guys she's dating, the conversation can be uncomfortable.
"It usually ends up coming up one way or another however many months down the road, as them kinda saying, 'Yeah, you're right. I don't know how to connect with you without that piece of it,'" she said. "There aren't very many of us who wait, period, and wait for this long."
According to the Centers for Disease Control, the average age Americans lose their virginity is around 17.
Virgins make up 12.6 percent of females age 20 - 24, and 14.4 percent of men the same age.
The number drops below five percent for the 25 - 29 age group.
Burkhardt wants to let others who are in the minority know that it's OK.
"Take the time to really find out who you are, what you want. Once you figure that out, just stick to it," she said. "For me, it's not having sex until I'm in love and married."
Burkhardt says she's not judgmental and she's not anti-sex. Click here to read her article.