33-Year-Old Virgin Embraces Her Choice and Challenges Stigma Around Late Bloomers

Lauren Harkins, a 33-year-old from Portland, Maine, has spoken out about her decision to remain a virgin, asserting that there is “nothing wrong” with being a late bloomer.

In an interview with Southwest News Service, Harkins shared that her choice is not rooted in religion but in personal contentment and life priorities.

“I’m a virgin, but I’m not traditional; usually it’s one or the other, but I’m just very content on my own,” the Portland, Maine resident stated. Lauren Harkins / SWNS

“I’m a virgin, but I’m not a traditional one; usually, it’s one or the other, but I’m just very content on my own,” Harkins explained. Reflecting on her twenties, she noted, “It’s such a confusing time—everyone is figuring out careers and navigating life—sex just wasn’t something I prioritized.”

As an only child, Harkins learned early on how to be content on her own and never actively pursued a relationship. Lauren Harkins / SWNS

As an only child, Harkins learned self-sufficiency and did not actively seek relationships. During her friends’ romantic ups and downs, Harkins was coping with the loss of her father, William, who passed away when she was a teenager.

The virgin now says she finally feels ready to meet a partner to share her life with, but she’s unwilling to settle for a subpar fellow. Lauren Harkins / SWNS

Living off a trust fund left by her late father, Harkins has led an adventurous life, travelling to Morocco, Peru, the Cayman Islands, the Bahamas, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. “I love immersing myself in new cultures,” she said. For her, sex has not been a priority amidst these experiences.

Harkins now lives primarily off her late dad’s trust fund and has enjoyed an action-packed life of travel and adventure, saying sex wasn’t a priority. Lauren Harkins / SWNS

Now, Harkins feels ready to find a partner but insists she will not settle for less than someone who meets her high standards. “I think it’s important to have high standards in everything—romantically and otherwise,” she stated.

Harkins hopes that by discussing her life and choices, she can help break down the stigma associated with being an adult virgin. “I have hundreds of messages from people in similar situations, so I feel like I’m helping others,” she shared. “I’m of sound mind and body, not socially awkward or repressed, and quite normal despite my unique lifestyle.”

She concluded, “I’m just a late bloomer—it doesn’t mean anything is wrong with me.”

Sola Adeniji

News Reporter, Freelancer, and content creator

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