I'm 22 years old and happy to say that I have remained absitent, and am still a virgin. A lot of my friends give me grief for waiting until I am in love and find the right guy, but I think that saving myself until I find a guy that loves me for all I am and not just what I look like is worth the wait. Dang Taylor Swift and her Disney like songs! No I am happy with my life. I concentrated on school till the end of high school and didn't date, and then went to an all girls school for college and dated a bit with guys from other schools but haven't found a man I am willing to give this precious gift to. I guess I am asking what people's opinions are on waiting to share yourself with someone you truly love instead of some drunken night. Am I so odd?

And no I am not fat or ugly. If I wanted to I could easily have done so by now. So no rude comments please.

Whoever decides to respond to this thread...keep in mind that there are kids ages 13 and up on this site so if you don't have something constructive or appropriate to say, please show some self-restraint and have respect. Let's definitely be careful to not condone anything you wouldn't want your own daughter reading and thinking makes it OK!

Are you odd? NO WAY. I think you're awesome! My baby brother is 22 (23 next week, actually) and the same way. He's pretty cute too if I do say so myself. He's about to get his Masters so since the month after he graduated high school, he's submerged himself in school. He knew what he wanted and went after it. He said not only doesn't he have time to date right now, it wouldn't be fair to anyone he did because he's so focused on school. He's never even tried alcohol except for some Kahlua in coffee once either. I've asked him about it before and he said he doesn't feel like that's something he'd enjoy after seeing other people do it. He loves life, respects himself, loves God and has a huge heart. Whoever does catch him will hopefully recognize and appreciate all of that.

My other two brothers (and we are all much older than him) have definitely gone through their share of trouble and even jail. Luckily, their consequences affected him at a young age and he chose a different route. He's an awesome man.

It is not odd at all. I'm 21 but I did lose my virginity at 17. Before that I'd dated.. but never liked anyone enough to go that far with it. Then I met this guy. I fell in love. I lost my virginity. And now we're married. =] As long as you are comfortable with what you're doing it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. Of course, I'm a firm believe in sex and living together BEFORE marriage. No matter what some people try to say I personally feel this is a huge part of your relationship. If you're not compatible in this respect it can put an unimaginable amount of stress on the rest of your relationship. Again, though, it's all personal preference. I have great respect for people who wait until you find The One.

HOWEVER I also firmly believe you should be an adult before having sex. I considered myself an adult at 17 because I had graduated high school, had a full time job, and was going to college full time. The effects of sex are huge. Getting pregnant, losing your reputation [thinking underage high school girls here], getting an STD. You should be taking care of yourself before you even begin to think of this. Your parents should not be responsible for your actions.

I think what you are doing is wonderful. It takes a great deal of self-control and self-respect which is something so may young people are lacking. Bravo to you for not wanting to be "liked" so badly you will do something you will later regret.

I know all to well the consequences of not being ready. Ended up pregnant and had a baby at 17. I love my son to death, but I was absolutely NOT ready for motherhood at that age. And, yes, it did change my life forever. I was no longer a fun loving teen who could party and be with friends. I was a mother and had to grow up very fast and try to find my way in the world.

To have such convictions in this day and age is amazing. I applaud you.

It isn't lame. I was lucky enough to find mine so I can tell you it happens!

My big sis got pregnant at the age of 21. She wasn't out of college she wasn't married & the daddy of her baby is to chicken to get his licens and wastes him money on tattoos. He prvides nothing for her.
He is stepping up though since the baby was born a week ago. Erin wasn't ready to be a mother. She acted like she was still 14. She is now seeing the conciquences of sex before getting married. This is what made me decide not to date till I'm out of college.

After going to a catholic school for twelve years I'd have to say keeping your viginity till marriage depends on the situationa and responsibility of the couple. If you have not yet found the man that you see your self with for ever, than you are very smart to be able to realize that and maintain abstanance.

In my early years of high school I thought I would remain unmarried for ever because I could not imagine putting up with any of the boys I had been around. I've never been envolved with alcohol, other than the wine at church, and I knew I would never loose my virginity to a careless act that i would regret for the rest of my life.

I know most of you know i'm young, I'm seventeen, but I also have a full time job, full time college and high school student, and a full time care taker of many animals children :) I considered my self ready to make that commitment after talking not only hours with my boyfriend, learning everything about his past, our future, and of course discussing the "what-if's". But I also talked it over with my mom, (which I highly recomend to any young women) I took contraceptive methods and made christian get tested (because unlike me he had a past with a privious serious girl friend).
I took all the neccessarry precausions and because of this I have no guilt and no regrets. I strongly beleive by taking responsible measures It has caused our relationship no stress and has helped us be very open with eachother and our parents. We are very mature and very serious for our age, Christian and I are actually looking for a house together because we now have the thousand in the bank that we have set aside for this purpose.

So if there is anything a young reader can get from these posts, it's Know your self, know your significant other, get an out siders veiw, and by NO means rush into it or allow your ideals to be swayed.

I'm 20, and I lost mine when I was 16. I think what your doing is AMAZING!! If I could go back I would've saved myself for the man I'm with now.

It's your body, and you do with it how you please.

Hannah, I think that is excellent advice, and actually how I feel. I'm not waiting till marriage, but I want to wait until I find a guy that I not only love with all my heart but feel comfortable enough around to talk about the pros and cons of that decision when the time comes. And talking with my mom and my friends has given me strength and courage to wait and to know about the available options should that time arise. I am also for testing your boyfriend or girlfriend, because this is one way that we can protect ourselves and others against such diseases as HIV and AIDS. I would be willing to also get tested (although obviously I'm a virgin, but I have 2 tattoos) so that they wouldn't be alone.

Thank you all for you kindness and support!

Thank You! and you definitly have our support (obviously :)
I think you totally rock!!! I have a friend just like you, only she's a little bit more radical about and think she needs to convince everyone that abstanance is the ONLY way.

And you are so right about getting tested. My mom is a labor and delivery nurse, and I am in nursing school so we see the effects of STDs daily! Its very unfortunate but my mom once told me that it is extremely RARE for a nice couple to be the ones delivering, and even more RARE to deliver a women with out some sort of STD!!!

That is so sad that the majority of people bringing children into this tuff world are single and not in a stable home, AND they are already infected with a disease! Think of how this could effect a child!!

Christian loves me more than I could ever imagine, because he HATES doctors but he still went to get tested!! Thats the kind of guy every girl deserves! :) and i'm totally proud of our relationship and level of responsibility.

We are animals. Marriage is religious. You only live once. No comment.

I think you did comment AND you don't have any daughters! LOL

I think it's awesome!! I myself waited untill I was married. I didn't have to wait too long I married my high school sweetheart right after school he was in the Navy already so when I graduated we got married. We lasted 7 years and later I married my now current husband of 11yrs. I think it's great and stick to your beliefs and you will go far!! Congrats to you.

I think that is wonderful i waited till i was 20 and found my mr right. ok he wasnt mr. right but for 5 years i though he was. lol dont let anyone pressure u in to anything when ur ready u will know it. for now just let life be as easy as it can without all the worries that come with haveing sex.