"I am a virgin and I am 30," says Sarah who's proud that she's been on more than 80 dates with men while maintaining her chastity. "I'm just waiting for someone that I have a connection with." Many of her friends engage in casual sex, which she believes leaves them more vulnerable. "I do think it drains [women] emotionally."

On the other side of the debate is Traci, 30, who says, "I think it's important for women to feel free to chose either way ... and if they do choose to engage in casual sex, not to feel guilty about it." She is not ashamed that she slept with her current boyfriend on their first date, and she resents judgment from others about her decisions. "I think both men and women are capable of being hurt," she explains. "Honesty and being on the same page are important." Ultimately, for Traci it's all about personal choice. "I'm not promoting risky sex and I'm not promoting promiscuity," Traci clarifies. "I just think women should be able to follow their instincts in the same way that men do and shouldn't have to feel guilty about it."

Still, Sarah says she's seen enough friends get hurt to stick to her belief, and according to Dr. Laura Berman, there may be a biological explanation for why women tend to get attached after a romantic night. "When a woman has sex, especially if it's pleasurable sex, there's a wash of oxytocin in her brain. That's the same chemical that breast-feeding mothers release to bond with their babies. It's a chemical of attachment. So if you have really good sex with a guy, even if you don't like him, you're likely to be attached and feel rejected the next day," explains the sex educator and director of the Berman Center in Chicago."I tell women all the time that you don't want to have great sex with someone that you don't want to fall in love because chances are you will!" Dr. Laura says it's natural for women to be a bit confused by their choices. "We are in a dating revolution and women are out there trying to figure out who they're going to be sexually in the dating world."

So what should a woman do? Dr. Berman says it can be tricky as society continues to change.

"My bottom line is that I really agree with both of you. It's such a personal decision," Dr. Berman says to Sarah and Traci. "The one caveat I would give is that you need to be prepared for the potential consequences. You need to be prepared for that oxytocin rush." And, for those who are still unsure how to handle the end of a special date she says there's good reason to be confused: "We are in a dating revolution and women are out there trying to figure out who they're going to be sexually in the dating world."

Rachael is surprised to be reminded of how complicated dating remains, and says with relief: "I'm glad my shopping is over, that is rough!"

What do you think? Join the discussion and get in on the debate!