In the short story, “Ranch Girl”, Malie Meloy tells the story of a young girl growing up in a small town as the daughter of a rancher on a cattle ranch. The protagonist faces many decisions regarding her love life, her education, and her life to come as she struggles with choosing what she wants versus what the stereotype of a being a “ranch girl” have set up for her. Meloy’s story portrays how society’s predisposition towards stereotypical ideals can shape and influence one’s identity and choices.

Virginity, although a social construct, is something the cowboys value and because they value it, the protagonist is influenced into valuing it as well. She states that “Virginity is as important to rodeo boys as to Catholics, and you don’t go