It seems as if younger generations are both acting and looking older. Girls have their butts hanging out of shorts and boys are asking to "hook up" in middle school. Now, even for people my age, it's not uncommon to be getting cat calls and hearing about classmates getting knocked-up back in our freshman year of high school. It's almost universally expected for kids to put out once they've hit puberty. For some this is pretty easy to do, but for others, like myself, it's a pretty uncomfortable concept. Among my group of friends, I was known as the "prude" for thinking like this. I've been called a prude since sixth grade and at this point I'm pretty used to it.

But what does it even mean to be a prude? I've come to know the term as referring to someone who isn't outwardly flirty, doesn't put out, and surely doesn't hook-up with the random guy they just met at a party. I can clearly recall one of my close friends being the girl that would sit on boy's laps and promise sexual favors, even if she wouldn't go through with them. Things like this make me blush. The prude, on the other hand, will watch from across the room with an uncomfortable look on their face. Sound like you? You may very well be a prude.

Prudes are also girls who are more introverted or even pay attention to their studies more than the average person. They like to sit inside and play on their computer rather than go out to a party, and if they happen to go to a party they'll probably hang around the snack table more than the boys. When they're offered liquor, they may politely turn it down and they sure as sugar aren't going to strip their clothes off to go swimming in their bra and underwear.

Being conservative also makes you a prude. If your skirt isn't short enough or your top isn't low enough that makes you a prude, too. Just because you don't want people to see your butt cheeks doesn't mean that you're any less of a woman.

Now, being called a prude isn't singled out by one gender, oh no. Girls will call you a prude because you won't join them in their antics and boys will call you a prude if you don't let them violate you.

To give a few examples of ways you can be a prude, allow me to provide some excerpts of things boys have said to me to which I've said a flat out no:

"So, how does this work, do you sit on my face or do I sit on yours?"

"So, when are we getting married? We've already done the hard part and matched."

"You look like my freshman English teacher. That's a good thing... she was kinda hot."

"Big tits."

No, no, and no...P.S., get away from me. Some girls may be flattered by these unabashed attempts at getting some, but I'm definitely not. This is what people may say as me being a prude. Having self - respect doesn't make you a prude and not wanting to hook up with everything that breathes also doesn't make you a prude.

Your body should be treated how you want and I believe that women should respect themselves enough to make men work for them. If you go on a date with someone they shouldn't be expecting their tongue in your mouth at the end. That's how times are and there's no such thing as respecting your partner. My unpopular opinion isn't something that I expect people to agree with, but it's something that I firmly believe in. If your friends call you a prude or if some guy calls you a prude that just means that you've made them angry because you respect yourself enough to say no. Saying no is what makes people angry and it makes them want to fight you back.

Prudes should be proud of who they are. If you get called a prude you should wear that title like a crown on your head. Being a prude means you hold high standards for people that want to be romantically involved with you. It also means that you aren't "easy." Prude is not synonymous with being a fun sucker, boring, or stuck-up. Prudes are proud people and they should be praised for how they act, not embarrassed. If you want to wear a chastity belt, you do it. If you want to stay out of the dating scene until you're 20? Go for it! There's nothing to be ashamed of and I'm glad to be a prude. Everyone else should be, too.