Once, Twice, Three Times a Virgin?

As I was browsing around the New York Times webpage I found an article about restoring virginity, especially in Muslim women.

The article emphasizes the importance of virginity in the Muslim culture. For a woman to have her hyman reinstated, especially a Muslim woman, as mentioned in the article, is a small price to pay for the credibility of her family, and possibly keeping her life.

I was shocked to learn that families actually have the female checked before the wedding night to assure that she is a virgin. Everyone appears to be involved in the sexual life of the married couple, leaving no privacy or room for secrets.

In Europe and in the US, women have fought for (and continue to fight for and justify) the right to control their bodies. Being forced or allowing your partner to pursuade you to have the procedure (for his pleasure) seems to be a step back. It seems to be a regression in the progression of women's rights.

To to each her own.