Virginity

On my way to Griggsville, IL, the Purple Martin Capital of the World, and the home of my ailing father, I found myself craning my neck a full half circle so that I could look at the ominous Piasa Bird painted on the bluffs along the Great River Road for as long as possible just as I had done thousands of times since I was a child.  My father has always been a great story teller so naturally when he took his brood of six bored children the 100 mile trip to visit my grandparents in Pike County Illinois he often pointed out the painting and told us the story of the great Piasa Bird who swooped down on the Native American Indians leaving a trail of blood, tears and death.

All these years later and I still find myself irresistibly drawn to the painting and reflecting on the myth.  Did the ferocious bird seek only young Indian braves or like many other mythological stories was it's thirst for young female virgins?  Being female, I naturally lean toward young Indian braves rather than virgins.  After all the braves went into battle of their own free will where as the virgin was drug and tied yelling for mercy to a stake as a sacrifice.

What is it about man's fascination with virgins?  I've never been able to comprehend the allure.  Men actually prefer a woman who has been around the block a couple of times.  They are a lot more fun.

When I was a mere child of 10 or 11 my mother fed me the line about no decent man would marry a woman who was not a virgin.  To make the story worse the "good man" would know on his wedding night if his bride was not a virgin and then all vows would be null and void.  Turns out my mother just didn't want to be stuck raising her bastard grandchildren.

These stories have been handed down to our daughters generation after generation.  I chose not to fill my daughters pretty little head up with all that virginity nonsense but she still heard the stories.  Not from me but from the church.  She then had to figure out her own version of right and wrong.

Third world countries still shackle their women with medieval morality stories aimed at keeping women in their place.  Fortunately the US and Europe have acknowledged their errors (some reluctantly) and have loosened their grip on women.

Funny thing, it takes a lot of energy to keep someone down.  Men who fear women would find themselves happier and more successful if they would live and let live.

Enough ranting.  Have a great weekend!