You don’t hear about a 27-year-old virgin that often…esp. when it’s the daughter of a famous athlete.
Evander Holyfield’s 27-Year-old daughter (a little ironic since Holyfield has eleven children with six different women) Evette opened up with Essence Magazine about it and she’s encouraging young girls to save themselves for marriage.
I don’t have any kids, but if I did, I would want them to read the piece. It’s nice to see a positive article about women that aren’t half naked.
ESSENCE.COM: When did you decide to be abstinent until marriage?
EVETTE HOLYFIELD: We grew up in a Christian home. When I was around six years old, my dad said to me, “You don’t need to have sex outside of marriage.” He went through the whole spiel with me. So as I grew up, I thought, okay dad, if you don’t want me to do it, I’m not gonna do it. Then I started to really understand church – the words in the Bible and what the pastor is really saying. At that point, I wasn’t just doing it because my dad said don’t, but rather, I now believe that by waiting, God will bless me and bring me a great husband. I want to meet somebody amazing, and I know that if I do this, I’m doing this for him and I. That’s what I want.
ESSENCE.COM: Has it been a difficult decision for you?
HOLYFIELD: Honestly, it’s easy for me. I was in a three-year relationship, and I never had those desires for him in that way. He never pressured me. In my mind, I already have it set that I’m not gonna do it, so if someone were to pressure me, it wouldn’t even phase me. I just don’t have those desires.
ESSENCE.COM: Do you encourage others to make the decision you have?
HOLYFIELD: I have talked to young groups of kids at different schools about the keys to success, and one of the secrets I tell the young girls is to preserve themselves and their bodies and not to give them away to someone who doesn’t deserve it. I tell them to instead focus on themselves and their dreams because everything else will come after that. I feel like young girls these days are too focused on getting a man and not on empowering themselves. Guys are going to treat you how you allow them to, and if you don’t respect yourself and feel like you’re worth something, then you will feel like you should do whatever a man wants you to.
ESSENCE.COM: Should every woman wait until marriage?
HOLYFIELD: I would prefer if women waited to have sex, but I know it’s unrealistic to think that all women are going to think like me. I think women should make a list of what they really want in a man. Then, wait, really stick to your guns, and have faith that God is going to give you that person. If women did that, it would save them a lot of heartache. Never settle.
You can read her entire interview on Essence.com.
SOURCE: HuffPost
