Relationships: 6 Months to Wedding Day

 
 
 
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6 Months thru Wedding Day

He Has a Problem I'm NOT a Virgin!  What Century is This?


Dear Couples Company

My boyfriend and I have been dating for almost 16 months. We are both very proud of that and very much in love. Since the beginning we have felt a very strong and unique connection between us.

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What You Aren't
 

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We are able to communicate in ways that amaze us sometimes. I know that he is the man I want to marry. I feel that without a doubt. I simply cannot imagine my life without him. We talk often about our future together and both agree that someday, when the time is right, we will get married and spend our lives together. That is a very special and incredible feeling to the both of us.

The problem.....he has a HUGE problem with the fact that I have slept with other guys besides him. Yes, he was a virgin before the first time we were together (this I found out "after the fact"). Of course he was disappointed to learn that he was not my first as well. Throughout our relationship this has been a problem for him....not just something that floats through his mind every so often......but something he thinks about and literally drives himself insane thinking about it.  The times when he shares with me that it is bothering him, it turns into a VERY HEATED discussion. And you should know that I didn't used to think about the way I lost my virginity. And I never thought much about the fact that I have slept with guys that I was not in love with, and really had no business sleeping with. I have always regretted those times, yet I think I just pushed those thoughts and feelings aside. Either because I didn't want to deal with it, or maybe because I just didn't know how.

Another thing is, he has asked me VERY specific and detailed questions about my times with those other guys. I have never been comfortable telling him these things. I just wonder, "why would he want to know these things I've done with other guys?" When I asked him that, he explained to me that knowing these things would help put his mind at ease. Because that way he can KNOW what happened and not let his mind create situations that he doesn't want to think about. This made sense to me, and I slowly offered what information I could (though it was very uncomfortable for me.)  I mean, I do NOT want to know what things he has done with other girls. I simply don't want to think about it.  Also you should know that, I didn't offer him information because I felt like I had to at all.  I did it because I honestly thought it may help us. And I know it did. I have no doubt about that.

But we need help. Can you offer any advice to us? When we get in discussions about this I never know what to say. Some things I say quite often are: "That is in my past...there is no way I can change that now. Please learn to accept that about me." And his reply is always just, "I don't know if I can accept that!" Well then I start thinking, "Why have you stayed with me for this long then?" TOP

Please offer any suggestions you have or other places we could turn to for help. I love him with all my heart and soul and want to be with him always. Thank you,

MS, Female (28)
Omaha, Nebraska, USA


Dear MS:

You're are in a difficult situation.  With 90% of men, this isn't an issue because by the time most men and women in the United States reach 20, they've had at least one sexual experience.  In most cases, 5 or 6.  Without knowing his religious background, it's difficult to know where he is coming from.  I do know that segments of the Muslim religion teach that a woman is considered tainted if she is not a virgin before marriage and therefore not worthy of Marriage.  This is one of the reasons female castration is actively practiced in those countries of the Middle East and parts of Africa. Fortunately, in the United States this is not the case; but if your boyfriend is a devote Muslim, your dealing with religious beliefs and core values. These don't change. 
 

 

Relationship Common Sense:


 Never talk about previous sexual experiences
 in detail.


Keep your 'Partners' number to yourself.


Establish Boundaries and enforce them 

On the other hand, if you and he are Christian,
(Protestant or Catholic) there is an out. Both factions of Christianity teach abstinence, but the foundation of Christianity is forgiveness of sins and past indiscretions. The key is you need to ask for forgiveness and the strength to abstain, if this is what you want.  In the Christian and Jewish religions, God is willing to forgive even the most promiscuous woman, just look to the story of Mary Magdalene.  If he's devote, then he should understand that if God is willing to forgive you, he too should have the capacity. In fact, as a good Christian, he must. It's part of our belief system and the primary foundation of the faith.  The fact that he is no longer a virgin since being with you tells me he is not opposed to pre-marital sex.  It sounds like he's placing his expectations on you, when prior to meeting you, each of you lead different lives with different challenges and situations.  This isn't fair to you and if it makes you angry, it should. He's placing expectations on you rather than accepting the person that you are.

In the mean time, to prevent this from happening again, you may want to keep the following in mind:

1) Never talk about previous sexual experiences with a man in detail

It's none of his business and frankly, most aren't worth mentioning.  Yes, you'll get the "What's the most daring sexual deed you've done" and "Have you ever been with multiple partners" game.  Give short yes and no answers and one line of detail if required.  That's all.

2) Keep your number to yourself. 

Men have this preconceived notion that the woman they are with is virginal to them, regardless of whether she is or has been with 50 men.  Here's a little inside information.  Couples Company analyzed 10 different surveys by women 18-40 on their sexual habits.  It was rather amusing.  The average number of men women report having been with is 6.  Yet, when asked how many partners they average in a year when they were not in a relationship, the number was 3. The average length of a relationship was 2 years.  The average number of relationships was 3.  The average age for first sexual experience, 17. Here's the math:  If a single 30 year old woman has spent 6 years of her life in long term relationships (3 partners) that leaves 7 years between relationships with an average of 3 different partners per year that puts your number at 21.  This puts the average 30 year old at 24 sexual partners, not 6.  Even if you consider some of those partners are retreads (ex boyfriends), the number still hovers around 20. Most women lie about the number when asked directly because of the stigma attached.  It takes looking at other questions to uncover the truth.

3) Set Your Boundaries and
become a born again virgin. 

There are two ways to do this.  First, just remove intercourse from your life. This will catch him off guard, especially if you explain to him that since he's so opposed to pre-marital sex, you've decided to follow his lead and abstain from any further conduct with him or anyone until married.  Don't be surprised if he changes his tune after a few months of this. 

The other method is psychological. Did you know that most women do not experience their first real orgasm during copulation until they are between 24 & 27?  Change the benchmark to when you experienced your first copulation induced orgasm. It's a mind game with yourself but it works and it certainly brings the number of men down to one hand.

The bottom line is that if he loves you, he needs to accept all of you, the good and the bad.  If he's curious about what other men do during sex, rent him a porn flick.  Most likely what he's nervous about and why he keeps pressing you for details is that he is afraid you are comparing him to the other men you've been with and he doesn't have the experience he assumes they do.  The next time he presses you, instead of giving details, turn it around on him and ask him point blank, "Is your need to know about my previous sexual experiences because you are afraid I am comparing your performance to other men?"  If he says "no" ask, "Then what is it?  Why do you find this so important?"

When he tells you, the only thing you can do is reassure him, love him and praise him.  And keep your boundaries.  This is his problem, not yours. You haven't done anything wrong; you do not owe him an answer and you have nothing to apologize for.

This is how you set boundaries:

Define your  "no go" areas.  If he asks a question you're not comfortable with or he attempts to pick a fight by pulling you into areas where you both have strong opposing feelings (usually politics)  state to him: "We need to agree to disagree on this one and drop the subject". 

If he asked you to talk about something sexual and you don't want to answer or  feel it is none of his business, tell him "I'm not comfortable discussing that subject".  This one statement is effective in any situation where you feel a person is intruding and gets the point across. If he presses further,  leave the room and don't come back until he respects your boundaries.  If he asks about other men, explain that  life began anew the day you met him and the past no longer exists to you.

Setting boundaries is scary, but necessary.  You have to tell him when it's no longer appropriate for him to ask you about anything that makes you uncomfortable.  If you two really love each other, you'll make it through this. Good luck.  

Laura Dawn Lewis

 
 
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