Pre-marital sexual intercourse

Sexual intercourse before marriage
Premarital sexual relations

Nature

Pre-marital sexual intercourse refers to sexual activity between individuals who are not married to each other. This practice is often viewed as problematic in various cultural, religious, and social contexts, where it may conflict with traditional values emphasizing chastity and fidelity. Concerns surrounding pre-marital sex include potential emotional consequences, the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), unintended pregnancies, and the impact on future relationships. Additionally, differing beliefs about sexual morality can lead to societal stigma, personal guilt, and conflict within families, highlighting the complex interplay between individual choices and cultural norms.

Claim

In many parts of the world abstinence from sexual activity before marriage is valued. In other societies adults (and many adolescents) are unwilling to sacrifice the principle of abstinence even if general practice is different.

Today there are many who vindicate the right to sexual union before marriage, at least in those cases where a firm intention to marry and an affection which is already in some way conjugal in the psychology of the subjects require this completion, which they judge to be connatural. This is especially the case when the celebration of the marriage is impeded by circumstances or when this intimate relationship seems necessary in order for love to be preserved. This opinion is contrary to Christian doctrine, which states that every genital act must be within the framework of marriage. However firm the intention of those who practice such premature sexual relations may be, the fact remains that these relations cannot ensure, in sincerity and fidelity, the interpersonal relationship between a man and a woman, nor especially can they protect this relationship from whims and caprices. Sexual union therefore is only legitimate if a definitive community of life has been established between the man and the woman. These requirements call for a conjugal contract sanctioned and guaranteed by society – a contract which establishes a state of life of capital importance both for the exclusive union of the man and the woman and for the good of their family and of the human community. Most often, in fact, premarital relations exclude the possibility of children. What is represented to be conjugal love is not able, as it absolutely should be, to develop into paternal and maternal love. Or, if it does happen to do so, this will be to the detriment of the children, who will be deprived of the stable environment in which they ought to develop in order to find in it the way and the means of their insertion into society as a whole. (Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith: Persona Humana, 1975).

Counter-claim

Pre-marital sexual intercourse is a natural expression of human intimacy and personal choice, not a significant problem. It fosters understanding, compatibility, and emotional connection between partners. Societal focus on this issue often stems from outdated norms and misconceptions. Instead of stigmatizing consensual relationships, we should promote open communication and education about sexual health. Embracing individual autonomy in relationships is far more important than perpetuating unnecessary guilt or shame surrounding pre-marital intimacy.