When Helen Gurley Brown took over as editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan in 1965, the magazine became a mouthpiece for the sexual revolution.  Cosmo, as it came to be known, reflected and promoted the values of Brown’s book, “Sex and the Single Girl.”  To this day the magazine is known for its suggestive covers, and articles that focus on sex, relationships, fashion, beauty, and more sex. 

So it was no small surprise when the magazine’s website recently included a feature piece that told the stories of three twenty-something women who’ve chosen to remain abstinent until marriage.  All of them, whose real names were changed, spoke openly about how faith informed their decisions. 

How’s this for a quote out of Cosmo?  “I decided I wanted to wait when I read St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body.  In it, he discusses how Christ loves us totally, definitely, and sacrificially through his body, and that is what sex was created for us to do as well – to love others totally, definitely, and sacrificially through our bodies.”  That’s from 22-year-old Sara, who says most of the guys she dates already know about her views on sex.  She reports having many good platonic friendships with guys “because it sort of eliminates any possible sexual tension.”

Madeline is equally forthright.  “My faith teaches me that sex is a deeply spiritual act and a symbol of intimacy with God.”  She knows that the pool of men potentially interested in her is limited, and that some make hurtful assumptions.  “I think the worst is when guys think that, just because I’m waiting to have sex, [that] means I’m not a sexual being or that sex isn’t attractive to me.”  But sharing her views on sex with a coworker who “actually listened and told me that my thoughts made sense” was rewarding.

Jordan credits her parents for teaching her that sex was only for married couples.  “I grew up in an extremely religious household, and waiting was the biggest part of my sex education,” she told Cosmopolitan.  She met her boyfriend online and they discovered early on that they were both virgins and planned to remain chase until marriage.  “We’re going to be engaged soon,” Jordan reports, “and are both looking forward to our marriage and the special intimacy and bond that will come with that.”

While I couldn’t in good conscience recommend Cosmopolitan to anyone of any age, I applaud their willingness to go against type.  Kudos to them for featuring women who held their ground against cultural forces deriding chastity, including the magazine itself.