We live in a hypersexualized society where sex sells and it comes as a shock when some of us say the "v" word: virgin.

Believe it or not, there are guys and gals out there who have decided to remain celibate whether it is for religious reasons, precautions, or even for no interest in sex at all. Whichever reason that is, it should be respected, just as I respect other people's decisions for being sexually active.

It's their body, just as this is my body.

Though there are some guys out there who decide to remain virgins and might get crap for it, as a female, I've also had my shares of bursts of laughter coming from people who bring the conversation up as I respond, "Yeah, I'm a virgin".

Of course, it's normal to bring up the sex chat. We are in college, we're adults, and being an adult means making your own decisions whether people think it is right or not.

If we look back to our grandparents' era it was considered shameful for people, especially for women, to have sex outside of marriage.

Times change, and now it is even considered shameful or foolish for some when they encounter someone who is a virgin.

I'm not judging you for choosing to have sex with your partner or with multiple people, it is your choice. However, I still demand respect for my not-so-popular decision to remain a virgin. It really works both ways.

If you cannot fathom my reasons for my choices, that doesn't give you the right to judge or ridicule me for it, just as I don't bash your choices for your sex life.

Being a virgin doesn't make me less of a woman or a person. It just goes to show that I don't have to follow a path that many people decide to walk in. I am free to go on the road less traveled.

I'm not saying being a virgin today is "worse" than not being one, I'm trying to show that whichever choice a person decides to make in their sex life is up to them.

This topic isn't as talked about and I want to elucidate on both sides of the story.

On a side note, no means no. You shouldn't be forced to do something you are not comfortable with.