Counterintuitive Spring 2023

Broken Keys for Broken Locks

Like the human psyche, female virginity is deeply complex. Historically, female virginity has been understood to be a single, narrow definition—according to men. Scientists, academics, and men define the female virgin as a female who has never had sexual intercourse. The current definition of female virginity dismisses alternative aspects of virginity, excludes other classes of intercourse, and is inconsiderate of the female perspective, therefore inaccurate.

Laura M. Carpenter is an author and associate professor of sociology at Vanderbilt University who argues that female virginity is anything but one definition. In an academic article Carpenter claims,  “ …interpreting virginity loss as a step in a process holds the most promise for enhancing the ability of all people, regardless of gender or sexual identity, to experience virginity loss in ways that are empowering, health-enhancing, and consonant with their desires” (Carpenter 362). Viewing “virginity [loss]” as a “step in a process,” Carpenter takes a holistic approach to understanding virginity. In Carpenter’s academic article, she explores the different ideas, reasons, and understandings of virginity—not limited to a singular group of people, race, class, and or identity. A “step in a process” is an ambiguous phrase which is a progressive outlook on female virginity and alleviates any differences in opinion or judgement. Carpenter’s approach avoids disregarding any personal understandings of female virginity, rather, Carpenter opens the door to a more appropriate definition. An inclusive definition allows for women to hold to their opinion and judgments of female virginity, not feeling pressured by any sort of systemic categorization.

Not following a progressive approach leads to the singularity of female virginity—confining female virginity to one idea, one notion, one definition. A counterintuitive, singular definition of female virginity is regressive, and in turn, causes for a lack of growth for generations to come (if this process is continued). Linda Eyre of the Candia Journal of Education, in Toronto, asserts in an academic article discussing “compulsory heterosexuality” the dangers of singularity—relating to virginity, sexuality, and outlook. Eyre declares, “ The belief [of a female virginity being a singular definition] then is used to justify dominating those who do not subscribe to the privileged practice [understanding female virginity to be one definition]” (Eyre 36). Having a singular definition of female virginity can be (and is) used as a weapon, protecting men’s  authority over women—causing great danger and oppression. The teaching of heterosexuality is predominate in schools, universities, and class rooms, resulting in sameness or confusion. Heterosexuality is the “normal” in society, Eyre expresses in her academic article. Like heterosexuality being the societal “norm,” female virginity is then lumped under the umbrella term of “heterosexuality.” Eyre argues that not everyone is heterosexual so defining female virginity using heterosexual terms is inconclusive. If teachings continue where heterosexuality is the norm and that female virginity can only be defined in a singular heterosexual way, society will continue to regress. This regression will be the downfall of diversity in female virginity, narrowing the female perspective—allowing oppression.

Oppression is the reason why female virginity remains singular. Outdated outlooks on female virginity persist, a vicious cycle. This vicious cycle must be broken not by changing a woman’s belief and understand but by allowing the reality of diversity to seep into the understanding of female virginity. Being an ambiguous term, female virginity is virtually impossible to pinpoint—there is no “right” or “correct” answer. Science has one definition and psychology another—the list goes on. Like the human psyche, complex and puzzling, female virginity is too complex and puzzling. The realization that female virginity is deeply complex and multilayered is frustrating to say the least. We are a society who always wants an immediate answer but sometimes there is not always a direct answer. Oppression is unjust, cruel treatment towards a group of people, objects, or even ideas and oppression is used to debilitate female virginity. A truly abstract term, female virginity is subjected to oppression for the sake of “simplicity.” This denial created by men, is, by all means a false analogy.

Female virginity is viewed as simple and clear cut—understanding the idea to be simple like a lock and key. Female virginity is anything but a lock and key. To better understand, female virginity is multilayered and individual. Each defintion will vary between women. There is no one cultural understanding, scientific understanding, religious understanding, and or societal understanding. Female virginity is an individual understanding that varies between women. One could argue that female virginity is like a lock and key, even if that induvial understands female virginity to be individual. Even so, female virginity is not a lock and key. Locks and key go hand and hand and are arguably intimate. With that understanding, does every lock and key go together? No, it does not. Sometimes keys break, bend, are lost. Like keys, locks too can break, bend, and become lost. Virginity is a fluid term, like the water that washes us. Women have the absolute right to shift their understanding regarding their own virginity. No person or man has the right to take away that power, despite how hard one may try. Female virginity cannot be simply understood, the term is a messy scribble of words not a single, uniformed sentence.

Female virginity is complex, there is no argument for that. Multidimensional and complicated, female virginity is debated amongst men who tend to make the call. The simplicity in man’s definition of female virginity leads to regression and oppression. The cycle will stay continuous as long as men deny the fact of complexity regarding female virginity and as long as women accept this cycle. No more locks and keys. Only a messy scribble of words, abstracts, and abysses. There is no one “right” or “correct” answer/defintion of female virginity. As a society who always wants a clear answer, this simply will not happen regarding female virginity. This reality must be accepted. There are many aspects to female virginity and in order to understand we must not understand.

References

CARPENTER, LAURA M. “Gender and the Meaning and Experience of Virginity Loss in the Contemporary United States.” Gender & Society, vol. 16, no. 3, 2002, pp. 345–365., https://doi.org/10.1177/0891243202016003005.  

Eyre, Linda. “Compulsory Heterosexuality in a University Classroom.” ProQuest, ProQuest, 1993, https://www.proquest.com/docview/215374474?OpenUrlRefId=info:xri/sid:primo&accountid=13605.

Wight, Daniel, et al. “The Quality of Young People’s Heterosexual Relationships: A Longitudinal Analysis of Characteristics Shaping Subjective Experience.” Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, vol. 40, no. 4, 2008, pp. 226–237., https://doi.org/10.1363/4022608.  

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6376393/

• One way to approach this rebuttal could be to mention object attachment disorders/hoarding and how puppets spark that behavior at a young age
• People who struggle with this typically practice anthropomorphism (reflecting life onto inanimate objects-puppeteers do this all the time-it’s literally their job:)
• This disorder can lead to lonliness and feelings of detatchment 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4033092/

• “Object attachment can be thought of as constituting a protective factor (Rutter, 1985); although this inanimate object cannot provide reassurance, guidance or affection, its presence provides the child with a sense of protection.”

Music Multitasking

Many people associate and think of music as something relaxing, or even something that you can scream your lungs out to. Music’s not the most common tool used to help someone with studying or homework. The possibilities of music types are endless as well as the ways that music can help you. Many factors contribute to the fact that listening to music when studying can be a very useful thing. Negative effects are present, like almost everything in the world, but the pros outweigh the cons in this situation. Through the exploration of studies and the consensus of how music makes a person feel, listening to music when studying can have a very positive effect on an individual.

In “Silence is Golden: The Bad Effect of Music While Studying,” Saki Amano creates a survey that they provide to students asking them about their habits of listening to music when they study. The results clearly show that most people like to listen to music, and out of those people almost 100 percent of them prefer music with lyrics. Saki makes a very bold claim saying that “about half of students who listen to music while studying are apt to think they cannot concentrate more on their studying than no music.” Saki previously states that they believe students listen to music to concentrate better on studying, a completely different opinion than what the rest of the research they provide displays. The results from the survey are in favor of a position approving individuals listening to music while studying, instead of a position disliking the idea of studying with music. None of the survey questions asked anything more specific than  simple questions, the most lengthy asking if the student believes they concentrate more with or without music present. Making assumptions about your data and the subjects in your research will create false conclusions. The mixed tones of the authors’ claims display a deep amount of confusion. 

Multitasking is a difficult pursuit but it is likely to be utilized by many students. Individuals who have a hard time concentrating on multiple tasks at once, let alone two, are smart enough to know themselves and their study habits. They are not going to listen to music when studying knowing that it is bad for them. Refined individuals who have been in school for years know their brain and what works best for them. When evaluating multitasking, Amano says that “One researcher found that the majority of students who engage in multitasking during the class get the lower GPA, and the risk that using alcohol, tobacco and other drugs is likely to be higher than students who do only one task at once.” The information presented has absolutely nothing to do with the argument at all. In the classroom, multitasking is not just listening to music, it also involves being on your phone, doodling, watching a movie or tv show. The same goes for multitasking while studying and doing homework, listening to music being one raindrop under a huge umbrella. The conclusion made in this scenario would not impact the sole effects of listening to music and studying. The statement also mentions the risk of alcohol and drug use as a result of multitasking. Not only was the umbrella of multitasking big enough, but alcohol and drug use is far from that umbrella. The farthest you could get from listening to music and studying is shown in that statement. Alcohol and drug use is an important topic, and is sure to catch the eye of anyone reading about music and studying when it is not expected. Taking their focus from the real argument, it throws them off track. This abuse is related to the multitasking umbrella and a few of its raindrops, not directly to music and studying. 

Listening to your preferred music is going to be done more than listening to music you don’t like. Many students prefer pop or rock music, both inhabiting lyrics. Amano claims “that music with lyrics causes the brain to focus all of its energy on blocking out the vocal stimuli from the song, preventing it from concentrating on the task.” Another form of multitasking, the lyrics taking an unconscious focus from the individual causing them to become less engaged with their task. In Music and memory: Effects of listening to music while studying in college students, a study was calculated showing results of reading an assigned text with classical music versus lyrical or pop music playing in the background and then answering comprehension questions.. In terms of mean scores, the pop music listeners scored 2 points higher than the classical music. This educated study was completed at a university, and has produced accurate results, showing that lyrical music does make a difference. As a final result from the study, Mensik and Dodge say that “studying for a test while listening to music may cause little to no detriment to comprehension.” 

The argument against listening to music while studying shows compelling but wavering perspectives. Studies have clearly shown that the effects of this very much depend on the individual person. The average student is more likely to do just fine when it comes to studying and having their favorite music playing in the background. It creates a safer environment for them to feel more relaxed. You are sure to find your own ways of studying effectively for your own benefit, and you can listen to whatever you desire. While there may be some disadvantages to it, go ahead and study while listening to that rap song or even Mozart if you’re feeling fancy! 

References

Amano, S. (2015). Silence is Golden: The Bad Effect of Music While Studying. Google Docs. Retrieved November 18, 2021, from https://docs.google.com/document/preview?hgd=1&id=1enacyMCl1cLTBiHJ86bL1_WWl9qyz_uwEJkJA1NOzTQ.  

Goltz, F., & Sadakata, M. (2021, September 20). Do you listen to music while studying? A  portrait of how people use music to optimize their cognitive performance. Acta Psychologica. Retrieved October 10, 2021, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001691821001670?via%3Dihub. 

Mensink, M. C., & Dodge, L. (2014, April 1). Music and memory: Effects of listening to music while studying in college students. MINDS@UW Home. Retrieved November 18, 2021, from https://minds.wisconsin.edu/handle/1793/77348. 

While meditation has proven to be an extremely helpful and useful tool for gaining control of thoughts and emotions, skeptics are still resistant to trying it. Those who suffer from anxiety and depression do not believe that it could be helpful despite the fact that studies have shown that meditation can help relieve their symptoms. It is understandable that sufferers are uncomfortable with the idea of sitting with their thoughts or dealing with them at all. When experiencing negative emotions, it is common to attempt pushing these thoughts and feelings away or ignoring them rather than dealing with them. Some people argue that they simply do not have enough time to spend meditating. However, in reality meditation is not something that requires hours of practice or any special equipment. It can be done anywhere, anytime, for however long feels right. A lot of people have this image of meditation in their heads of a person sitting on a yoga mat with their legs crossed with their hands resting on their knees. But in reality, meditation is whatever the user needs it to be. Meg Mankings, the writer for Headspace, an app that promotes meditation, discusses this stereotype of meditation in an article. She states that, “more often than not, my sessions are emotional and active. I often use meditation to work through serious, difficult issues that life unexpectedly tosses at me. Mindfulness has helped me cope with the loss of loved ones, workplace stress, and social anxiety—all the fun stuff. It’s my meditation and I’ll cry if I want to (I often do).”  

The impacts of mindfulness meditation are very beneficial to one’s overall health, especially for those who struggle with their mental health. However, misconceptions about meditation may come from articles like Donna Lu’s titled, “A quarter of people who meditate experience negative mental states.” In this article, she explains how Marco Schlosser surveyed 1232 people at the University College in London who had meditated at least once a week for two months. Lu states that “The volunteers were asked if they had ever felt any particularly unpleasant experiences, including anxiety, fear or disturbed emotions, that they attributed to their meditation practice. Just over 25 percent reported that they had.” However, Lu also states that the volunteers participating in the survey “were not asked about the severity of their experiences or whether they occurred specifically during a meditation session.” 

It is important to recognize that there are many different types of meditations. According to Ashley Welch, “Mindfulness meditation is the process of being fully present with your thoughts. Being mindful means being aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not being overly reactive to what’s going on around us.” This type of meditation is perfect for newbies. By accepting your thoughts, this allows you to have more compassion for yourself, understanding of your emotions, and therefore more control over them. Transcendental meditation is another great and simple way to get started. This meditation involves repeating a mantra, and falling into a state of deep relaxation. A guided meditation is also a fantastic way to get into the practice of meditation. Welch states that guided meditation is “is a method of meditation in which you form mental pictures or situations that you find relaxing. This process is typically led by a guide or teacher.” Mindful, transcendental, and guided meditations are all perfect for getting started on the journey of finding inner peace. There are also more strenuous and advanced types of meditations including Vipassana, which Donna Lu discusses in her article. 

 Lu states that “The participants were asked about the types of meditation they practiced. The survey found that those who only engaged in deconstructive types of meditation, such as Vipassanā and Zen Buddhist meditation, were more likely to report negative mental states than those who only practiced other types.” According to Sayadaw U Pandita, “Vipassanā is insight meditation, the practice of continued close attention to sensation, through which one ultimately sees the true nature of existence. It is believed to be the form of meditation practice taught by the Buddha himself, and although the specific form of the practice may vary, it is the basis of all traditions of Buddhist meditation.” Vipassana can be a difficult practice, especially when done through a retreat. Joddi Ettenberg shares her experience from her vipassana retreat in an article. In this article she states  “No matter the pain as you sit, or the fact that your hands and legs fall asleep and that your brain is crying for release. You are instructed to refocus attention on the objective sensations in your body, arising and falling, as you do a scan of your limbs in a specific order. By doing so, over 10 days, you train yourself to stop reacting to the vicissitudes of life. 

The process of Vipassana meditation is very similar to EMDR, a practice used to treat combat victim’s PTSD symptoms. According to Brainline, a website containing information on brain injury and PTSD, during the process of EMDR, “A trained therapist will guide you to think about a trauma while moving your eyes back and forth, left to right. Over time, this will help your brain reprocess the memories so that they no longer cause as much pain.” During this process, you must acknowledge past traumatic experiences in order to get through them, which is very similar to the goal of Vipassana. Neither are typically enjoyable experiences, and may bring up some sadness or pain. However, both of these processes share the goal of bettering oneself and achieving inner peace. When unaware of the many different types of meditation practices, it can be easy to become discouraged or fearful to try. However, it is important to understand that mindfulness meditation can be so helpful to one’s mental and overall health.

Sources 

Changes in self-concept, ego defense mechanisms … – JSTOR. (n.d.). Retrieved December 4, 2021, from https://www.jstor.org/stable/1387552

Lu, D. (2019, May 14). A quarter of people who meditate experience negative mental states. Retrieved December 04, 2021, from https://www.newscientist.com/article/2202323-a-quarter-of-people-who-meditate-experience-negative-mental-states/

What people get wrong about meditation. (n.d.). Retrieved December 04, 2021, from https://www.headspace.com/articles/what-people-get-wrong-about-meditation

Welch, A., Rapaport, L., Chai, C., Millard, E., Upham, B., Weinstock, C., . . . Vogt, C. (n.d.). A guide to 7 different types of meditation. Retrieved December 04, 2021, from https://www.everydayhealth.com/meditation/types/