I?m male, 24, and a virgin. I don?t take kindly the jokes that follow, such as ?on what part of the body?? It?s not my choice to be in this state; all that you hear about boys and their hormones?it?s all true.

I?ve had two girlfriends, and believe me, I wanted to do it. Circumstances didn?t allow it, so I didn?t force it. I deserve a medal for being such a gentleman, and for being able to hold out this long. But I want to do it, and soon.
COWBOY

Dear Cowboy,

Whoa! Slow down! Take a cold shower, then let?s focus on your ?problem.?

What?s the urgency? Virginity is not a disease, although society and peer pressure make it look like one.

People would expect that you?being male and 24?have done it a long time ago.
Pop culture doesn?t help, and stories from your friends don?t, either. Condoms are openly advertised, music videos have sex scenes and porn videos are sold to anyone with cash.

But you?re a human being?with a brain you?re supposed to use. As you say, it?s the hormones. They make us think and do crazy things. Will you let the hormones rule the day? Because the logical thing to do is... nothing.

Call me old-fashioned, but there really isn?t anything wrong with being a 24-year old virgin.
So what if you?re a little behind? It?s not a race, and there?s no prize for having the most partners. Actually, there are bragging rights, but they get old. Then there?s the possibility of sexually transmitted diseases.

I won?t bore you with the usual save-it-for-that-special-someone speech, because I myself hate that. It?s just that sometimes it?s a good idea to wait and not force things.

Channel your energy into something useful. Learn capoeira or muay Thai or anything that involves kicking and punching a bag, because research shows that those kinds of sports alleviate stress.
Run a marathon for charity and help build a new hospital wing. Maybe enroll at that swank new gym where the hot girls hang out. Who knows, you might get lucky.

If your friends give you a hard time about it, then tell them a little white lie about finally doing it, but you?re not telling.

HERE?S YOUR MEDAL,

JEWEL

E-mail the author at jewel-lifestyle@inquirer.com.ph