Professional Documents
Culture Documents
during sex
Coining a new word for hymen to
challenge patriarchy
Karin Milles, Sdertrn University
Kerstin Fugl-Meyer, Karolinska Institutet
Sweden
No membrane
hymenal measurements demonstrated a high
degree of overlapping between abused and nonabused girls
(Myhre et al, 2003)
the opening of the vagina among nonabused girls
varies and // penetration seldom causes any
physical damage
The hymen is a metaphor and symbol of female
virginity
Swedish:
mdomshinna
virginity membrane
Chinese:
Arabic:
slidkrans
vaginal corona
English:
Swedish:
Our study
Informants
health professionals at youth clinics
young visitors to youth clinics
Method
Written questionnaire (WQ)
Patriarchal views on
hymen/virginity:
I meet a lot of girls who are very
anxious. Who are afraid of the pain
caused by the first sexual
intercourse.
(WQ, health professional)
Changing discourse?
[the vaginal corona
is]
Something that
stretches during
sex
patriarchal myth to
maintain sexual
power over women
Conclusions
Belief in the hymen as sign of virginity
is common
Disbelief is spreading the new word
part of the process