premarital sex essay conclusion

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Conclusion About Premarital Sex

• Word count: 273
• Category: Marriage Sex

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One phenomenon, more than any has seemed to concern a great deal of people, especially on the part of those who are affected by it. It has caused unwanted pregnancies, the spreading of diseases, a lot of guilt, and not to mention, the decrease of teenage virginity. This is if you have guessed it, premarital sex. From the word itself you will know that is simply means sex before marriage. Quiet a lot are into this and those who engage in this often do so because they want to be accepted by their peers, they hope for pleasure and they want the fulfillment of their sexual desires. The wide acceptance of premarital sex in today’s society is a dramatic change from the traditional moral values of the past! Our society has accepted a morally permissible attitude towards premarital sex. All forms of immorality are glorified through the internet, TV, videos, movies, magazines, and billboards.

Both teens and adults are indulging in sexual immorality because of the modern philosophy as stated to it. While premarital sex is considered sinful activities by the community, sexual intercourse between a man and a woman is to be reserved for their union upon marriage when they become with God. This custom this custom was put into effect to mitigate the desire for premarital sex in biblical times, a man was not prohibited from having sexual relations with a woman, as long as it led to marriage therefore no sanction was imposed for premarital sex but it was considered a violation of custom. The only limits placed on sexual activities are prohibitions against adultery and incest.

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Conclusion About Premarital Sex

Filed Under: Essays

One phenomenon, more than any has seemed to concern a great deal of people, especially on the part of those who are affected by it. It has caused unwanted pregnancies, the spreading of diseases, a lot of guilt, and not to mention, the decrease of teenage virginity. This is if you have guessed it, premarital sex. From the word itself you will know that is simply means sex before marriage. Quiet a lot are into this and those who engage in this often do so because they want to be accepted by their peers, they hope for pleasure and they want the fulfillment of their sexual desires. The wide acceptance of premarital sex in today’s society is a dramatic change from the traditional moral values of the past! Our society has accepted a morally permissible attitude towards premarital sex. All forms of immorality are glorified through the internet, TV, videos, movies, magazines, and billboards.

Both teens and adults are indulging in sexual immorality because of the modern philosophy as stated to it. While premarital sex is considered sinful activities by the community, sexual intercourse between a man and a woman is to be reserved for their union upon marriage when they become with God. This custom this custom was put into effect to mitigate the desire for premarital sex in biblical times, a man was not prohibited from having sexual relations with a woman, as long as it led to marriage therefore no sanction was imposed for premarital sex but it was considered a violation of custom. The only limits placed on sexual activities are prohibitions against adultery and incest.

The Essay on Abstinence Sex Children Sexual

Abstinence is the Only Thing that can Work Sex outside marriage is at best, wrong; at worst deadly. Today? s children are basing their decisions about sex on moral and social values. The accepted moral code is pretty black and white - don? t. Our society, however, has always been able to bend the rules to suit the current trend. Right now that trend is? young people shouldn? t have sex outside of ...

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Three Inside Sexual Relationships

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This chapter explores the dynamics of young adults’ sexual relationships, offering a clearer picture of how young Americans pick their sexual partners, how long those relationships last, how slowly or quickly sex is introduced, and how they negotiate sex within their relationships. The chapter draws on an economic theory of sexual relationship formation and navigation, which helps explain why sexual double standards remain remarkably robust. Attention is paid to the phenomenon of “friends with benefits,” including how such relationships tend to form, with whom, and how they end. In their romantic relationships, many emerging adults make unwanted sexual requests of their partners. What do they ask for? And how do their partners evaluate such requests? This provides a segue into a discussion of online pornography, which is now nearly ubiquitous and tolerated within the vast majority of young adult relationships.

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Premarital Sex Attitudes Among Youth and Adults Research Paper

Introduction, methodology, works cited.

The project is dedicated to people’s attitudes towards the issue of premarital sex. The purpose of the report is to find out the similarities and differences in people’s treatment of the issue. The research aims at finding out whether people’s age, education, ethnicity, gender, and other demographic data have a common or divergent impact on their attitude to premarital sex. The theory is that the level of education and age impact people’s opinions about premarital sex. The hypothesis of the project is that adult females are more likely to disapprove of premarital sex than other age and gender groups.

To obtain the data necessary for the project, I did a survey. I prepared a questionnaire (see Appendix A) consisting of 19 questions: 6 questions regarding their personal data, 8 questions regarding their attitude to premarital sex, and 5 questions about their premarital sex experience (1 question about having the experience and 4 questions for those who answered positively the first one). The type of survey was true or false. The participants were required to enter their demographic data (age, gender, race/ethnicity, marital/living status, sexual orientation, and education). Then, they were suggested 8 questions that were aimed at finding out their attitude towards the issue. The questions were created in such a way which allowed to find out whether people felt positive or negative about premarital sex and why they felt so. The third block of questions was to be answered by those who admitted having practiced premarital sex.

The survey did not require the participants to reveal their names, phone numbers, or addresses. It was designed for purely informational purposes and was completely anonymous. Since most of my friends and family felt uncomfortable taking the survey, I had to find other respondents to obtain twenty completed questionnaires. I distributed the survey among the visitors to a local café and park, and I obtained several participants’ answers via the internet.

The average age of the participants was 36 years old, the youngest being 17, and the oldest being 63. Half of the participants were female, and the other half were male. 16 participants reported straight sexual orientation, and 4 were homosexual (three males and one female). 5 participants were at high school, 1 was at college, and 14 people finished a university (2 of them had a Bachelor’s degree, 8 had a Master’s degree, and 4 obtained a Ph.D. level). What concerns ethnicity, 10 respondents were white Americans, 6 were African Americans, 3 were Asian, and 1 was European. The participants’ marital/living status was reported as a single for 6 people, in a relationship – 3 people, married – 8, and divorced – 3 people. The variety of demographic data allowed to obtain the results from different populations, which gives more reliability to the obtained outcomes.

The results were analyzed and synthesized to find the common and divergent opinions concerning the issue.

65% of respondents disapproved of premarital sex, among them 46.15% males and 53.84% females. However, only 35% of the participants are being judgmental about the issue of premarital sex.

72.72% of respondents at the age of 17- 33 (the “millennials”) reported their disapproval of premarital sex, but 45.45% of those disapproving it admitted practicing it.

55.55% of respondents at the age of 41- 63 reported their disapproval of premarital sex, but 100% of them admitted practicing it. Out of this age group, 50% females expressed their disapproval and 50% females were not against it.

25% of participants reported that their attitude towards premarital sex was impacted by family upbringing. 60% of males considered premarital sex beneficial for the future family, whereas only 20% of females reported the same.

None of the respondents considered premarital sex the main cause of sexually transmitted diseases. 20% of females considered premarital sex the major reason for undesired pregnancy and abortions.

The average number of sexual partners reported by respondents between 17 and 33 years old was 3, and for the respondents between 41 and 63 years old, it was 3.77.

55% of respondents were or had been married. Out of these, 72.72% practiced premarital sex. 36.36% male and 9.09% female respondents who were or had been married said that premarital sex could cause mistrust among the partners if they lost virginity to other people. 20% of respondents had married or planned to marry their first premarital sex partners. 42.8% of females and 37.5% of males regretted having practiced premarital sex. Out of the females, 66.66% of younger respondents (17-31 years old) and 33.33% of older (41-60 years old) regretted having practiced premarital sex.

10% males and 20% females admitted the negative impact of premarital sex on their decision to marry the partner. 20% males and 5% females admitted the positive impact of premarital sex on their decision to marry the partner. 45% did not report any impact.

According to the General Social Survey results, people tend to change their attitudes towards premarital sex (Kraft). Over the last fifty years, the number of those who do not disapprove of it rose from 29% in the 1970s to 58% in 2012 (Kraft). In my report, 65% of people feel negative about the issue. However, only one-third of the respondents feel judgmental. Furthermore, many of those who disapprove of premarital sex admitted having practiced it. 55.55% of female participants between 40 and 61 years old disapproved of premarital sex. This result does not coincide with the hypothesis about adult females being more likely to disapprove of premarital sex than other age and gender groups. However, such result is common in other studies. According to research performed by Elias et al., people’s permissiveness of premarital sex is higher in the younger age (131). A study by Wright supports this idea and reports that young people are less opposed to premarital sex, and the tendency is growing (89).

Fernández-Villaverde et al. argue that the youth’s attitude to premarital sex is not connected with church’s or parents’ influence as long as contraceptives allow young people to avoid undesired pregnancy (27). However, a quarter of my respondents admitted that they felt the family impact when forming their attitude to premarital sex.

Elias et al. mention that married people are less permissive of premarital sex than single people (132). The results of my questionnaire agree with this argument as many of the married respondents reported their negative attitude of premarital sex. Some of them regretted having practiced it, and some even considered it a serious barrier to trust between spouses.

According to Ghebremichael and Finkelman, there is a higher risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among women engaging in premarital sex (61). However, my survey showed that neither female nor male respondents considered these two issues connected. This controversy signifies the importance of increasing the population’s literacy concerning STDs. The same thing concerns the abortion rates. While the survey participants do not tend to associate premarital sex with unwanted pregnancy and abortion, Teferra et al. report a high level of abortion among young women (2).

The hypothesis of the project was not justified. Among the participants of the survey, older females did not report higher disapproval of premarital sex. The results of the survey are contradictory to the findings of some research articles. This situation can be explained in two ways. For one thing, people’s attitudes tend to alter very fast and frequently. Thus, the data incorporated in the current project is more modern. However, there may be another explanation of the divergences. The number of participants in the current project was much smaller than the number of people surveyed for the articles discussed.

Questionnaire about Attitudes to Premarital Sex (PS)

Elias, Vicky L., et al. “Long-Term Changes in Attitudes Toward Premarital Sex in the United States: Reexamining the Role of Cohort Replacement.” Journal of Sex Research , vol. 52, no. 2, 2015, pp. 129-139.

Fernández-Villaverde, Jesús, et al. “From Shame to Game in One Hundred Years: an Economic Model of the Rise in Premarital Sex and Its De-Stigmatization.” Journal of the European Economic Association , vol. 12, no. 1, 2014, pp. 25-61.

Ghebremichael, Musie S., and Finkelman, Matthew D. “The Effect of Premarital Sex on Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and High Risk Behaviors in Women.” Journal of AIDS and HIV Research , vol. 5, no. 2, 2013, pp. 59-64.

Kraft, Amy. “Changing Attitudes about Premarital Sex, Homosexuality.” CBS News , 2015. Web.

Teferra, Tomas Benti, et al. “Prevalence of Premarital Sexual Practice and Associated Factors among Undergraduate Health Science Students of Madawalabu University, Bale Goba, South East Ethiopia: Institution Based Cross Sectional Study.” PanAfrican Medical Journal , vol. 20, no. 209, 2015, pp. 1-11.

Wright, Paul J. “Americans’ Attitudes Toward Premarital Sex and Pornography Consumption: A National Panel Analysis.” Archives of Sexual Behavior , vol. 44, no. 1, 2015, pp. 89-97.

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Bibliography

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Among many people, sexual intercourse is considered an important component of marital life. It helps couples in the midst of an intense emotional and mental relationship to develop trust and intimacy with each other. Despite this, it is important to understand that the practice of premarital sex can lead to...

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Not only that, some families are practicing folk culture. Folk culture is broadly characterized by strong personal relationships among families, communities, social institutions and somehow one will be loyal to the group and practice what they normally practice within the group. In families, parents will always teach their children to study first and date later because they worry that if their children date early, they may have premarital sex. This in turn can result in underage and unwanted pregnancy, which will cause their family to “lose face” in front of other family members and also their friends. Lose face is actually a word derived from the Chinese culture in which they feel humiliated and shameful. Hence, most Asian parents worry that their children might fall into this group so they will try to protect their children by not letting them date. For those who are committed to certain religious communities such as Catholics, the Bible, which is a holy book to them indicates that sexual love is a symbol of love between a husband and wife as well as love for God. Therefore, premarital sex is strongly not encouraged by religious communities. According to Debra K Fileta (2011), she mentioned that ‘We were never intended to say no to sex, because it is one of God’s most precious and valuable gifts to us as human beings. But without a doubt, the inappropriate use of this gift is leaving millions of young people feeling more broken and alone than they ever thought imaginable.’

In other words, to avoid and reduce the rising number of unwed pregnancy cases, underage pregnancy and baby dumping, we have to create a new media strategy. According to Simon Kemp (2017), social media use has grown up by 21%, with almost half a billion new users signing up over the course of 2016. Thus, according to the Malaysian Digital Association (2016), there are almost 70% of the total population, which is about 21 million citizens who are internet users. Meanwhile, we would like to suggest sending out a message of the negative effects of premarital sex by using social media as a platform. By using white propaganda, we can provide credible and resourceful information on the cause and effects of premarital sex as well as deliver information based on factual elements, diagrams and statistics to convince and educate the youngsters to avoid premarital sex. Hence, the information with research done provided will lead young people to think twice before doing premarital sex. The false connection technique in the form of testimonials will also be used to educate teenagers to avoid premarital sex by inviting a few well-known and credible sources such as doctors or another person with similar and relevant experiences to give a speech in order to gain support for the propagandist’s desire. For example, a person with real-life experiences can share his or her opinion and perception through the media chosen to give advice on the topic mentioned. Apart from well-known sources, we can also use celebrities, artists or actors that able to get immediate attention from the youngsters and give them advice about premarital sex. Then, by using the word-of-mouse and word-of-mouth technique spread out the message that we want all the youngsters to alert.

Furthermore, according to Department of Statistics Malaysia (2015), around 7 million out of 9 million Malaysian households have at least one television. Thus, if every household switches their TV on for a whole day, the reach of the message to the audience is higher. Therefore, TV is also a great and viable platform for us to deliver the message to the youngster. By using false connection technique in the form of transfer, it could deliver the physical effects of premarital sex through a person wearing a scientist’s white coat. This technique could work because the coat itself carries over the authority and prestige of something we respect and admire to something the propagandist would have us accept. Meanwhile, the message that is delivered by the person who is wearing a scientist’s white coat will have a higher percentage to reach our targeted audience as well as have an impact on their minds. This is due to the fact that the audience believes that whoever wears the scientist’s white coat is a certified medical professional such as a doctor. Therefore, this could also create a special appeal which is fear to the audience by playing with the audience’s deep-seated worries. According to a journal article found from the American Psychological Association (2015) by Melanie B., Justin, Rick S., and Lindsey Saul & Samantha Jacobs, it is stated that fear appeals are persuasive messages that attempt to arouse fear by emphasizing the potential danger and harm that will befall individuals if they do not adopt the messages. Meanwhile, it is effective enough to persuade, convince and educate the youngster by using the technique of fear appeal and set the negative effects mindset into them, such as “If you have premarital sex, you will get Sexually Transmitted Diseases easily.” to avoid premarital sex.

Moreover, we can also deliver the message through social media by using the idea of ego under the Freudianism Theory. According to McLeod (2016), the ego considers social realities and norms, etiquettes and rules in deciding how to behave. Ego is frequently practiced by many people when they are making a decision based on reality principle and it uses a realistic strategy to seek for pleasure. The ego also uses secondary process thinking which are rational and realistic to help in problem solving. When people are faced with problems, they will use their ego to interpret and give solutions to the problem. For premarital sex, many people have their own ego as to how they perceive things and they think that there is no major differences between having sex before or after marriage. Their rational mind tells them that having sex is just to seek pleasure during courtship, but they fail to see the whole picture including the effects and consequences of it. If no proper prevention is done, not only will it affect two people, but also affect towards both of their parents and families. Therefore, we suggest to use the concept of ego to change their current mindset to the ego, which is based on the reality principle. After viewing the social media content whi ch uses the conc ept of egoism in explaining premarital sex, people will have a new perception to change their ego willingly into a different perspective of ego that will make them think twice before having premarital sex.

The other human behavior that was mentioned by Freud is id. Id is the egocentric, pleasure seeking part of the mind which is the unconscious part of our mind that responds directly and immediately to the instincts. According to McLeod (2016), the id operates on the pleasure principle which is the idea that every wishful impulse should be satisfied immediately, regardless of the consequences. People tend to avoid what they do not want to face and seek for pleasure. Therefore, some youngsters use wrong methods to seek for pleasure which is through premarital sex. For young people who date early, they will have more curiosity towards their partner because they are still young and they want to try different things. In addition, people who are older and have more experience with courtship will try and persuade youngsters who are inexperienced to try and experience what is “normal” during courtship which includes kissing, holding hands or even premarital sex. Due to the fact that the youngsters do not want to feel left out or ostracized by their friends, they will tend to be influenced to commit such acts just so they can escape the pressure of doing otherwise. In order to redirect them, we suggest that social media should use the concept of id but portray a different message which encourages youngsters what type of pleasure they should should not seek for as well as the consequences of it.

Besides id, superego can be use to deliver avoid premarital sex message. McLeod (2016) stated that, superego incorporates the values and morals of the society that learned from their parents and others. The function is to control the id’s impulses, especially those which society forbids, such as sex and aggression. Due to people comes from different culture and religion, they have different perception and concept that shapes what they believe in. Although people comes from different background, but what they believe teaches them the same concept which is avoid premarital sex. According to Saunders (2017), from the Catholic view, the physical expression of love in marriage is a sacred sign of a husband and wife’s covenant of love and love that they share in union with God. This marital love signifies the vows freely exchanged between each other and thereby reflects the faithful, permanent, exclusive, and self-giving love they have promised to each other and to God. Sex before marriage is a sin against the body and it means losing respect for your body, as well as the body of the one you are involved with. Therefore, in accord with God’s design, sexual love is reserved to marriage. Walshe (2006), from Buddhism view, also stated that, indulgence in sexual activity for the sake of pleasure is evil, wicked, or, as he tends to say, sinful. Moreover, according to Salmi (2012), from the Islamic view, premarital sex is a violation of human existence and one of the major sins condemned by Allah. In the Qur’an, Allah stated that tell the believing men that they should reduce or lower their gaze and guard their private parts and tell the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their private parts. Unfortunately, some people verbally says they believe in certain religion but do they actually practice what they should practice according to their religion? People even have the concept of casual sex. Actually, if there are no more relationship, we will begin to lose ourselves. If is from partner to partner, we will continue to lose a bit of ourselves and over time we may eventually lose the ability to form a lasting sexual relationship. Therefore, we need to remind them about their religion teaching of avoiding premarital sex in the social media.

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Premarital sexual practice and associated factors among high school youths in Debretabor town, South Gondar zone, North West Ethiopia, 2017

• Wondmnew Lakew Arega 1 ,
• Taye Abuhay Zewale 2 &
• Kassawmar Angaw Bogale 3  

BMC Research Notes volume  12 , Article number:  314 ( 2019 ) Cite this article

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Premarital sex is voluntary sexual intercourse between unmarried persons. Prevalence and factors associated with premarital sexual practice in the study area are lacking. Thus, the aims of this study were to determine the prevalence and to identify factors associated with premarital sexual practice among Debretabor high school youths.

The prevalence of premarital sex among Debretabor town high school youths was 22.5% of which 63.9% of them were males. Among those high school youths, the majority (60.2%) had their first sexual intercourse at the age of 15–19 years. The main reason for initiation of sexual intercourse was due to fell in love which accounts 48.1%, followed by sexual desire 22.2%. Predictors that are risk for premarital sex were youths who did not attend religious education [AOR = 7.4, 95% CI (3.32, 16.43)], having boy or girl friends [AOR = 9.66, 95% CI (4.80, 19.43)], drinking alcohol every day [AOR = 9.43, 95% CI (2.86, 31.14)] and less than twice a week [AOR = 2.52, 95% CI (1.22, 5.21)], watching pornography film [AOR = 5.15, 95% CI (2.56, 10.37)] and youths came from rural residing families [AOR = 0.51, 95% CI (0.27, 0.96)].

Introduction

Youths are in a state of rapid physical and psychological change. They have curiosity and urge to experience new phenomena [ 1 ]. Nevertheless, youths are exposed to different circumstance like fears, worries and different desires, they feel shame to get advice and guidance from their parents and elders [ 2 ]. Over a life cycle approach, youths and their communities need to know about reproductive health so that, they can make informed decisions about their reproductive health and sexuality [ 3 , 4 ]. Premarital sex, defined as voluntary sexual intercourse between unmarried persons, is increasing worldwide [ 5 ]. It is unsafe because, most youths have no enough awareness on how to prevent and how to get guidance services on reproductive anatomy, physiology, sexually transmitted infection (STI), and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) [ 6 , 7 ]. As a result, they are exposed to serious problems including premarital sex with its consequences and emotional scar [ 8 , 9 ].

Though, schools are institutions where sufficient information and formal educations are provided to youths, premarital sexual practice among high school youths have been increased worldwide [ 10 ]. Globally, 35.3 million people live with HIV/AIDS of which youths account 2.1 million. Among 2.3 million new HIV infections, youths (15–24 years) account more than half [ 7 ].

Illegal abortions, risk of HIV infections and school dropout are the bad consequences of pre-marital sex in sub-Saharan Africa [ 11 ]. Up to 25% of 15–19 years, old youth’s exercised sex before age 15. In Ethiopia, the prevalence of premarital sex is increasing [ 12 , 13 , 14 ]. A study conducted in Eastern part of Ethiopia and Lalibela Town reported that above one-fourth of the school youths were exposed to premarital sex [ 12 , 15 ]. Another study which is done in west Shoa Zone reported that about 60% of high school youths were exercised premarital sex [ 9 ]. Different scholars identified inconsistent factors which were positively or negatively associated with premarital sexual practice. Some of these factors includes age of students, sex, residence, educational level, peer pressure, having pocket money, substance use, alcohol drink, watching pornography movie, living arrangement, discussion with parents about sexual issues, having peers who are experienced sex and fall in love and access religious and life skill education [ 9 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ].

According to Debretabor district health office report sexually transmitted diseases, abortion and unwanted pregnancy are high in the study area among youths [ 18 ]. However, prevalence of premarital sexual practice and its associated factors among high school youths (grade 9th to grade 12th) in the study area was not dealt yet. Thus, this study aimed to determine premarital sexual practices and associated factors among high school youths in Debretabor town, south Gondar, Ethiopia.

Study design and setting

School based cross-sectional study design was conducted from September 18 to October 16, 2017, among high school youths in Debretabor town, South Gondar zone, Ethiopia. Debretabor town is located at 667 km from Addis Ababa, capital city of Ethiopia and has three high schools. The total numbers of high school youths in the study area by the year 2017 were 8892 (5220 females and 3672 males) [ 18 ].

Source population

The source population was all high school youths who were residing in Debretabor town and its surrounding rural Kebeles.

Study population

The study population was all high-school youths aged 15 to 24 years that were enrolled as a regular day-time student in 2017.

Inclusion criteria

All secondary school youths aged 15–24 attending regular class in Debretabor town during data collection period were included in the study.

Exclusion criterion

Married high school youths were excluded.

Sample size determination

Sample size was calculated using a single population proportion formula designated as \({\text{n}} = \frac{{(Z_{\alpha /2)}^{2} p\left( {1 - p} \right)}}{{d^{2} }}\) based on the assumptions of P -value = 0.25 which was the proportion of premarital sex among in-school youths in Jimma [ 19 ], a 95% confidence level, 4% margin of error (d) and 10% non-response rate. Accordingly, the total sample size calculated was 497.

Sampling procedure

All the high schools in the town were included in the study, and total sample size was proportionally allocated to each school. The lists of youths were obtained from the respective school registrar. Then, the study participants from each school were selected by computer generated simple random sampling technique after proportional allocation to their grade level.

Data collection

Pre-tested, self-administered structured Amharic (local language) questionnaire was used to collect the data. The questionnaire was pre-tested on 10% of the study participants at Alem-ber high school, which has the same setup to the study area, found in South Gondar zone. The questionnaire was amended according to the finding in the pretest before the distributions of final questionnaires. Training was given for data collectors and supervisors. Before the participants filled the questionnaires, the trained data collector gave orientation to youths regarding the aim of the study, the content of the questionnaire, the issue of confidentiality and respondents rights. Moreover, trained data collectors were involved in taking consents from participants and gathering filled questionnaires. However, data collectors were not present when the participants were filling the questionnaire.

The study used premarital sex practice as dependent variable and Socio-demographic Characteristics of youths and parents (age, sex, education level, religion, pocket money living arrangement, parental education, parental occupation, sexual issue discussion with parents), risk behavior and peer pressure (chat chewing, alcohol drinking, cigarette smoking, watching pornography, Peer friend initiation of sex) and history of partner hood, demand for condom utilization (number of partners, having the boy/girlfriend, condom utilization) as independent variable.

Data management and analysis

The data were entered using Epi-info version 7.2.1 and exported to SPSS version 23 for analysis. Descriptive statistics like frequency, percentage and standard deviation was computed. Binary logistics regression model was applied to identify determinant factors related premarital sexual practice. Variables with P value less than 0.25 on bi-variate analysis were entered to multi-variate analysis. 95% confidence interval was used to identify associated factors in multi-variable binary logistic regression model. Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness of the model fit was checked and analysis was done by entering procedure.

Socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents

Four hundred eighty high school youths were filled the questionnaire making a response rate of 96.6%. From the total respondents, more than half (53.8%) of them were females. Majority (71.2%) youths age were from 15 to 19 years. The average age and standard deviation of respondents were 17 and 1.29 years respectively. Larger proportion (35.8%) of the participants were grade nine students. The majority (97.5%) of the respondents were Orthodox Christians. Only 23.3% of in school youths had pocket money, about 89% of youths were living with their parents and attending religious services. Moreover, above half (61%) of the youths didn’t discuss about sexual issues with their parents (Table  1 ).

Sexual characteristics and risk behavior of respondents

From all respondents, 22.5% have had premarital sexual intercourse at the time of the survey, of which 63.9% were males and 60.2% had their first sexual intercourse at the age of 15–19 years. The main reason for initiation of sexual intercourse was due to fell in love which accounts 48.1%, followed by sexual desire 22.2%.

Concerning the number of sexual partners, majority (84.3%) of students have had sex with one partner and about 58% of the them were used condom during sexual intercourse. Coming to risky behavior, 28.1% of the youths drunk alcohol, 16.2% watched pornography and 2.7% chewed khat. About 61% of youths who watched pornography film were exposed to premarital sex (Table  2 ).

Factors associated with premarital sexual practice among high school youths in Debretabor town, 2017

The Logistic regression analysis showed that premarital sexual practice among youths who did not attend religious education was 7.4 times more likely exposed to premarital sex as compared to the counterpart [AOR = 7.4, 95% CI (3.32, 16.43)]. Similarly, youths who had a boy or a girl friend were 9.66 times more likely to start premarital sex than those who didn’t have a boy or a girl [AOR = 9.66, 95% CI (4.80, 19.43)]. Youths who were drinking alcohol every day and less than twice a week were 9.43 times [AOR = 9.43, 95% CI (2.86, 31.14)] and 2.52 times [AOR = 2.52, 95% CI (1.22, 5.21)] more likely engaged in premarital sex practice respectively as compared to those who did not drink alcohol. Students who watched pornography film were 5.15 times more likely practiced premarital sex as compared to those who didn’t watch pornography film [AOR = 5.15, 95% CI (2.56, 10.37)]. But it was found to be less likely among urban youths resident family as compared with youths who came from rural resident families (Table  3 ).

Premarital sexual practice of high school youths in this study was 22.5% (CI: 19.0, 26.5). This finding was in line with a study conducted in Nekemtie town (21.5%) [ 20 ], in Jimma (21%) [ 19 ] and school youths in Alamata (21.1%) [ 21 ]. However, it was higher than in Coast Province, Kenya youths (14.9%) [ 22 ], and Robit high school youths (14.9%) [ 10 ]. The difference might be as a result of sample size, coast province; Kenya used existing data available from Kenya Global School Based Health Survey (GSHS) which was national study. So it could be more precise as compared with this study. In addition, there might be socio-cultural differences in community among study areas.

But this finding was lower than in-school youths in Ghana (42%) [ 23 ], in Jimma (28.5%) [ 24 ] in Eastern Ethiopia (24.8%) [ 12 ] and in Debremarkos high school youths (37.5% [ 25 ]. The variation may be due to difference in periods of the study (2011–2014), showing a changing and improving trend in easiness of reporting sexual matters and increasing premarital sexual awareness from time to time [ 7 , 26 ]. The difference might also be due to variations on the prevalence of risky sexual behavior.

This study also found that those youths who didn’t attend religious education were more likely exposed to premarital sex as compared with their counter parts. It is in agreement with studies conducted in Bahir Dar City [ 14 ] and Mizan Aman [ 27 ]. The possible reason could be religious institutions strongly thought youths to be abstained until marriage.

High School youths who have a boyfriend or girlfriend were more likely to have premarital sexual intercourse than those who don’t. There were similar reports in Alamata [ 28 ], and Nekemt towns [ 20 ]. This could be due to the pressure from their boy/girl friend to have sexual practice.

Youths who drunk alcohol were engaged in premarital sexual practice as compared to their counterparts. This finding is the same as the studies done in South West [ 27 ] and Western Ethiopia [ 29 ]. The possible explanation might be, when youths drink alcohol, his/her ability of self-controlling decrease and this may expose to premarital sex.

Students who watched pornography film were more likely practiced premarital sex as compared to those who didn’t. There is similar finding in Shendi Town [ 13 ] and Northern Ethiopia [ 7 ]. The possible reason could be pornography film leads youths physiological and psychological motive for sexual intercourse.

Youths from rural family residents were more exposed to premarital sex urban youths. This is not in agreement with other studies [ 7 , 21 , 28 , 30 , 31 ]. This difference might be due to low parental control of rural youths as they lived with rented rooms, exposed to exercising sexual issues freely.

Conclusions

Significant numbers of high school youths were engaged in sexual practice before marriage. Not attending religious education, have a boy/girlfriend, watching pornography film, alcohol drinkers and came from rural residing families were identified risk factors. So, the school community and respective health sector need to establish and strengthen school health program and school clubs to give awareness about identified risks of premarital sex. In addition family should link their youths to religious education in parallel to formal school education.

Limitation of the study

Since the nature of this study is sensitive, reporting errors and biases can’t be controlled. In addition as this study used only quantitative data, the behavioral related information might be missed. Since the questionnaire was self-administered, lack of control over the responses rate, no control over who filled the questionnaires and questions may be miss-understood so that the true impression of the participants may not be gathered.

Availability of data and materials

All the data sets used for this study are available from the corresponding author and can be given with a reasonable request.

Abbreviations

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

adjusted odds ratio

confidence interval

Ethiopian calendar

Demographic Health Survey

Ethiopia Demographic Health Survey

standard deviation

Bachelor of Science

Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Masters of Public Health

Statistical Package for Social Science

sexually transmitted infection

World Health Organization

Global School Based Health Survey

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Acknowledgements

The researchers would like to thank Bahir-Dar University, College of Medicine and health Science for permitting to conduct this research and Debretabor town education offices and the respective staffs for providing the required information on time and their cooperativeness for the study. At last but not least, our gratefulness thanks go to the data collectors and the study participants.

Not applicable, there was no sources of funding for this study.

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WLA conceptualization of the study, designed the study, collected data, drafts the analysis, interpreted the data and drafts the manuscript. TAZ designs the work, enter the data and analyze using software, interpretation of results as well as critical review of the manuscript. KAB Participated in design the study, drafting the manuscript and subsequent review of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Arega, W.L., Zewale, T.A. & Bogale, K.A. Premarital sexual practice and associated factors among high school youths in Debretabor town, South Gondar zone, North West Ethiopia, 2017. BMC Res Notes 12 , 314 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-019-4348-3

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The Viewpoints of Sexually Active Single Women About Premarital Sexual Relationships: A Qualitative Study in the Iranian Context

Azam rahmani.

1 Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, IR Iran

Effat Merghati-Khoei

2 Iranian National Center of Addiction Studies (INCAS), The Risk Behaviour Institution, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran

Lida Moghaddam-Banaem

Ebrahim hajizadeh.

3 Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, IR Iran

Ali Montazeri

4 Health Metrics Research Center, Iranian Institute for Health Sciences Research, Academic Centre for Education Culture and Research (ACECR), Tehran, IR Iran

Background:

Premarital sexual relationships could harm youth’s health in terms of sexually transmitted infections or increased risk of unprotected sexual behaviors. Sexual abstinence has been recommended to prevent young adolescents from adverse outcomes of premarital sexual relationships.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to explore the viewpoints of sexually active single women about premarital sexual relationships in the Iranian context.

Patients and Methods:

In this qualitative study, we recruited 41 young women aged 18 to 35 years. Data were collected using focus group discussions and individual interviews. We employed conventional content analysis to analyze the data. Multiple data collection methods, maximum variation sampling, and peer checks were applied to enhance the reliability of the findings.

Eight themes emerged from the data analysis: ‘acceptance of sexual contact in the context of opposite-sex relationships, ‘sexual activity as a guarantee for keeping the boyfriend in the relationship’, ‘premarital sexual relationship as an undeniable personal right’, ‘having successful marriage in spite of premarital sexual relationships’, ‘virginity as an old fashioned phenomenon’, ‘love as a license for premarital sexual behaviors’, ‘goal-oriented relationship as a license for premarital sexual behaviors’, and ‘experiencing premarital sexual relationships in order to gain perfection’.

Conclusions:

Results of this study could be applied to designing interventions, such as promotion of preventive beliefs or educational programs regarding premarital sexual relationships in conservative societies. These interventions could start within families and continue at schools and universities.

1. Background

Risky sexual behaviors are commonly defined as behaviors that increase the risk of sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies. They include having sex at an early age, multiple sexual partners, sex under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and unprotected sexual behaviors ( 1 ). Although premarital sexual relationships have not been defined as risky sexual behaviors in the international literature, they could be considered as risky behaviors in the Iranian context, as premarital intimate relationships are not religiously and socially acceptable in the Iranian culture ( 2 ). Cultural scenarios or social determinants of sexual behaviors recognize which behaviors are normal in any context and which ones are not ( 3 ). In fact, cultural factors could play an important role in defining risky sexual behaviors. Also, sexual health services and sex education are not provided for unmarried people in the Iranian context. Sexually active unmarried people, especially women, are vulnerable, since premarital sexual relationships could have inappropriate outcomes for women in terms of marriage ( 2 ).

Several studies have demonstrated that using condoms could reduce the likelihood of sexually transmitted diseases and related cancers, such as cancer of the cervix or penis, yet it could not totally omit the risk of these outcomes. Therefore, sexual abstinence before marriage is suggested as the best protective method for sexually transmitted diseases and their outcomes ( 4 , 5 ). In addition there is evidence that adolescents who engage in premarital sexual activities may not experience the same quality marital relationship and stability as that of married people who abstained from premarital sexual activities ( 6 ). Thus, sexual abstinence has been recommended to prevent young adolescents from adverse outcomes of premarital sexual behaviors ( 7 , 8 ).

Studies on premarital and risky sexual behaviors are crucial in the Iranian context for several reasons. According to the latest census conducted in Iran, young people make up about 20% (15 million) of the population ( 9 ) and in Muslim societies, as is true within many religious traditions ( 10 ), they tend to postpone their marriage - the only institution that legally permits them to experience sexual activity and any relationship outside of marriage is culturally, religiously, and legally forbidden ( 2 ). However, despite the law, many young people may begin their sexual activities before marriage ( 2 , 11 ). According to previous studies, 54 to 58% of male and female college students had been involved in premarital heterosexual relationships ( 12 ), and 8 to 12% of female college students had engaged in premarital sexual behaviors ( 12 , 13 ). Also, a study on Iranian youth reported that 27.7% of these youth first experienced sexual intercourse at the age of fifteen; and 68.2% of sexually active teenagers had at least one risky sexual behavior ( 14 ). While previous reports have demonstrated the likelihood of rising risky sexual behaviors ( 15 ), there is no comprehensive sex education targeting youth in Iran. Also, risky sexual behaviors are the second main cause of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission in Iran ( 16 ).

2. Objectives

3. patients and methods, 3.1. design.

In this qualitative study, we employed conventional content analysis since there was limited data in the field of premarital sexual relationships in the Iranian context and there was no preconceived hypotheses ( 17 ). A two-step qualitative approach, using focus group discussions (FGD) and individual interviews, was used in the study.

3.2. Participants

We recruited a group of young women (n = 41) aged 18 to 34 years old, who had volunteered to participate in this study. We initially planned to work on both males and females yet the ethics committee disapproved working on male participants because the primary researcher was female and cross-sex interviews on such a sensitive issue is not acceptable in the Iranian culture. Although we approached both sexually experienced and sexually inexperienced women, the reported results in the present study were mostly extracted from sexually experienced women.

3.3. Data Collection

We posted several announcements for a discussion group about ‘premarital sexual relationships’ that young women could attend. We employed focus group discussions as the primary means of data collection. The FGD was an appropriate technique to generate data from individual’s values and to explore predominant social norms ( 18 ). In FGDs, we purposefully approached the participants regardless of their experiences of premarital sexual behaviors. The sessions were facilitated by defining premarital sexual behaviors, and using a non-structured inventory that began with an open-ended question: ‘how is the sexual life of single women in Iran?’ Afterwards, based on the responses obtained from the participants, subsequent questions were built upon the discussion. Although Iran’s constitution is based on Islamic laws and government policies are guided by Shari’a and Islamic principles, it is common for the new generation to not believe that speaking openly about sexuality is against religion or cultural norms ( 19 ). However, the participants with different levels of religiosity challenged each other’s viewpoints in learning and experiencing sexuality. The focus group discussions enabled the investigators to identify the potential informants for individual interviews. Those women who had premarital sexual activity were identified during FGDs and invited for individual interviews. Although, women who had premarital sexual experience did not speak openly in the discussion groups, we identified these women when they spoke about their beliefs; for example, some of them believed that premarital sexual experience is a natural phenomenon and every woman, similar to a man, could enjoy this experience. Also, in order to have access to other young women with premarital sexual experiences, snowball sampling was used and additional young females were identified for individual interviews.

In the FGDs, participants challenged, questioned, and answered each other. Young women with different values, viewpoints, and experiences discussed the social aspects of premarital sexual relationships. In this step, data were generated according to predominant social norms. Young women with premarital sexual experiences could not speak about their experiences in FGDs, thus it was better to speak with these women during individual interviews.

In order to overcome the silence and privacy concerns in individual interviews, we: A) controlled our speaking style, look, gesture, and posture, B) consulted participants on their sexual life, if needed, C) ensured them that their private sexual experience will only be used for completing the research, D) gave a pseudonym to each woman to achieve anonymity, E) invited potential participants to dinner in order to establish rapport, and F) organized the questions from simple to complicated, so that participants did not feel we were intruding their private boundaries.

Sampling was continued with maximum variation to yield greater transferability and saturation of data ( 20 ). To achieve maximum variation in the data, informants were selected from different age groups, different socioeconomic status, high and low religiosity, and sexual experience levels. Also they had varying education levels. Most were living in dormitories and a few were living with their families at the time of interviews. In total, five focus group discussions were held and ten participants were interviewed individually. Data saturation was achieved after four focus group discussions and eight individual interviews; in fact, no new data were collected from the last two individual interviews and the last FGD.

3.4. Data Analysis

Inspired by Graneheim and Lundman’s approach, we employed the qualitative content analysis. In this approach the most suitable unit of analysis is whole interviews or observational protocols ( 21 ). Data analysis commenced during the data collection. Each focus group discussion and individual interview was transcribed verbatim and analyzed before the next focus group discussion or interview. We achieved data comprehension thorough reading and re-reading. In the next step, the units of meaning were extracted from the statements. Data analysis was performed using line-by-line coding, and codes were created during repeated discussions between researchers. Themes emerged based on the codes with similar meanings.

There was a second coder involved in the study, who was an expert in qualitative methods. We asked five of our participants to review the summary of the interviews and the findings (member check); these participants were chosen during the first FGDs and interviews. For confirmability of the findings, the substantive codes and themes were checked with four individuals, who were familiar with qualitative methods of content analysis (peer check) ( 20 ). Maximum variation sampling enhanced the transferability of data ( 22 ). Multiple data collection methods (focus group discussion and individual interview) were used to enhance dependability and credibility of the data ( 20 ).

3.6. Ethical Considerations

Approval to conduct the study was granted from the ethics committee of the school of medicine of the Tarbiat Modares University in 2011. All participants were given pseudonyms and were informed that participation in the study was voluntary, they could withdraw at any time, their confidentiality would be maintained, and none of the participants would be identified in any publications derived from the study. Informed written consent was obtained from the participants prior to focus group discussions and interviews.

Eight themes emerged from the data analysis: ‘acceptance of sexual contact in the context of opposite-sex relationships‘, ‘sexual activity as a guarantee for keeping the boyfriend in the relationship’, ‘premarital sexual relationship as an undeniable personal right’, ‘having successful marriage in spite of premarital sexual relationships’, ‘virginity as an old fashioned phenomenon’, ‘love as a license for premarital sexual behaviors’, ‘goal-oriented relationship as a license for premarital sexual behaviors’, and ‘experiencing premarital sexual relationships in order to gain perfection’.

4.1. Acceptance of Sexual Contact in the Context of Opposite-Sex Relationships

Participants reported that they experienced a sense of guilt during their first sexual encounters. Also, most of them reported a sense of duality because they were doing something that opposed social norms, and in some cases opposed their own beliefs. After time progression, they felt more comfortable to engage in sexual relationships. In fact, they could accept the sexual contact as an inseparable part of their relationship, as some of the participants stated that they, themselves, welcomed sexual relationships. Sepideh, 21 years old, whose parents had talked to her about making a decision regarding premarital sexual relationships, reported that:

“My second boyfriend was frequently talking about sexuality issues; afterwards, I thought that experiencing premarital sexual behaviors may not be a special phenomenon and nothing will happen if I experience it. After that, I experienced sexual relationships and enjoyed it. Now, I think about why I should delete this enjoyable act from my life? If I love someone, I prefer to have sexual relationship with them and I have accepted sexual contact as part of my relationship.”

4.2. Premarital Sexual Relationship As an Undeniable Personal Right

Most of the young women who had premarital sexual experiences believed that sexuality is a natural phenomenon and is a need that is required to be met. Thus, they experienced premarital sexual relationships more freely. This group of participants believed that it is ridiculous to abstain from sexual behaviors before marriage. They also stated that women could enjoy premarital sexual relationships as much as men and it is a mutual pleasure. Yasna, a 28 year-old woman, stated that:

“I believe that premarital sexual relationships are an undeniable right for everyone. Why do you eat an orange? You eat the orange because God has created it for you to eat. This is also true for premarital sexual relationships; God has created sexual relationships for you to experience and it is not important whether you experience it inside or outside of a marriage.”

4.3. Sexual Activity As a Guarantee for Keeping the Boyfriend in the Relationship

Some of the young women believed that sexual relationships could keep their boyfriends in the relationship and encourage them to get married. In fact, these young women considered premarital sexual relationships as a trap for marriage. They believed that if emotional and sexual relationships are well established, their boyfriends will also love them and would want to experience sexual relationships only with them. Sahar, 25 years old, stated that:

“In my first opposite-sex relationship, I did not let my boyfriend engage in sexual relationships with me. In that relationship, my boyfriend left me. I thought if I had allowed us to engage in sexual relationships, I would be able to keep him in the relationship and convince him to get married. Now, I believe that I am not a bad girl and when God sends me an appropriate boy, he does not mind if I hug or kiss him. These behaviors could involve his emotions and feelings as well as mine.”

4.4. Having a Successful Marriage in Spite of Premarital Sexual Relationships

Some participants believed that experiencing premarital sexual relationships is not an obstacle for them to have a successful marriage. Sima, 31 years old, stated that:

“There is a belief in the Iranian culture that men like to marry women who have not experienced premarital sexual behaviors. I think this belief is wrong. I have seen several women who had premarital sexual relationships and had a successful marriage afterward.”

4.5. Virginity As an Old Fashioned Phenomenon

Some participants questioned the importance of virginity and stated that it is an old fashioned phenomenon because they believed virginity is not equal to female chastity. On one hand, a woman could experience different types of premarital sexual behaviors, other than vaginal, while she keeps her hymen intact. On the other hand, one’s hymen could be damaged during an accident and it does not mean that she is not a virgin or a decent woman. In addition, some of the participants believed that they do not need to ask other people, such as family or community members, about keeping their virginity, because they believed the decision about keeping their virginity is a personal right. This viewpoint was observed not only among the participants but also among some families who allowed their daughters to experience any type of sexual behaviors. They had explained to their daughters that keeping virginity was not important for them. This viewpoint was evident by what the participants stated when describing people who had premarital sexual relationships as ‘open-minded people’. Shima, 30 years old, stated that:

“After I realize that my boyfriend is a decent person, I decide to experience penetrative sexual relationships. I believe that what is more worthwhile than virginity is the individuals’ personality, not a small part of the body [Hymen].”

4.6. Experiencing Premarital Sexual Behaviors in Order to Gain Perfection

Some participants believed that premarital sexual relationships could be a way to reach perfection, relaxation and increased self-confidence. They reported that, occasionally, they preferred to experience sexual relationships in order to become relaxed after a mental fatigue or stressful event. In fact, the sexual relationship for these young women was a means to feel more comfortable and become relaxed. They believed that these occasional sexual relations could not satisfy them and they looked for a meaningful sexual relationship to gain perfection. Soraya, 28 years old, reported that:

“I like to have a successful sexual relationship, as I experience and feel perfection. In fact, when I communicate with my boyfriend and engage in sexual behaviors, I look for perfection, not merely sexual satisfaction. I mean I feel more confident and relaxed when I experience sexual relationships.”

In fact some participants felt that a relation without sexual contact is not complete, and the sexuality part is what makes a relation worthwhile and whole.

4.7. Love As a License for Premarital Sexual Behaviors

Most of the participants who experienced premarital sexual relationships stated that they loved their boyfriends and they got involved in sexual behaviors because of their emotions. They stated that when you love someone, you like to touch his body and physical intimacy is a means of expressing your feelings. Although, premarital sexual relationship is not acceptable in the Iranian culture because of social and religious reasons, some participants believed that when two individuals fall in love and cannot live separately, there is no limitation for them to experience intimate relationships. Susan, 19 years old, stated that:

“Although experiencing premarital sexual relationships is taboo in the Iranian culture, if I love someone, I prefer to engage in sexual relationships, because it leads to a closer relationship”

4.8. Goal-Oriented Relationship As a License for Premarital Sexual Behaviors

Most participants reported that they usually engaged in an opposite-sex relationship if a number of criteria were met, e.g. if the relationship was goal-oriented. They defined goal-oriented relationships as long-term relationships or mutual intentions to get married. The purpose of the relationship, especially the intention to get married in the future, was a powerful motivation for them to engage in sexual behaviors because they thought sexual relationships could also help them know more about their boyfriend. They stated that they could evaluate if they are suitable cases for each other regarding marriage. Soheila, 25 years old, stated that:

“If I find someone qualified and eligible for marriage, I will engage in sexual behaviors because sexual relationships provide a situation for me to know my boyfriend better and make a better decision.”

5. Discussion

The results of this study demonstrated that some beliefs could play an important role in motivating young women to engage in premarital sexual behaviors. Our study has provided a large amount of motivating and permissive beliefs regarding premarital sexual relationships.

In international studies, personal beliefs and attitudes are well documented as the strongest factors for premarital and risky sexual behaviors. Young people who have permissive attitudes toward premarital sexual activity are more likely to engage in premarital sexual behaviors more frequently and have more sexual partners. All of these beliefs, attitudes, and motivations can be considered as proximal factors because they are closely linked to risky and protective sexual behaviors and they influence those behaviors directly ( 11 , 23 - 25 ). It should be noted that premarital relationships and sexual experiences, could also affect people’s liberal attitudes ( 23 ). For example, having sex and using condoms may affect attitudes about having sex, perceptions of peer norms about sex, and perceived ability to use condoms. Thus, causality may operate in both directions ( 11 ).

Studies have demonstrated that if people have a virginity pledge, they are less likely to engage in premarital sexual relationships ( 11 ). Commitment to virginity is a predominant attitude and important in the Iranian culture, that is why our participants frequently discussed it. Something interesting in our study was that there was a certain sanctity attached to virginity; in fact, young women preferred to experience non-vaginal sexual behaviors, as if the hymen had a certain dignity for them. It seems that the importance of physical virginity for the Iranian society has caused an infusion of holiness to virginity and abstinence from vaginal sex, despite experiencing other types of sexual behaviors.

In the FGDs, participants frequently repeated that the importance of virginity has decreased, yet deep interviews with young women who experienced premarital sexual behaviors demonstrated that keeping virginity was still important. In fact, they did not believe that keeping virginity was worthwhile yet they tried to keep their hymen intact, despite experiencing non-vaginal sexual behaviors. Perhaps the type of importance has changed, as most young women who believed that keeping virginity is not a valuable thing were not willing to risk and lose their virginity. In fact, these young women had a sexual performance according to their sexual schema, which was formed by their family and society.

A qualitative study on Iranian young women showed that among the majority of young women who experienced premarital sexual behaviors, only a small fraction of these relationships had resulted in penetrative sex. In fact, they remained virgin to improve their opportunities for marriage. Although these young women might engage in more premarital heterosexual relations than other women, they may abstain from sex until marriage. These females might be better informed than their peers of the negative consequences of sex for their marriage prospects because of their better communication and closer relationships with their parents ( 2 ).

Results of this study could be applied for designing interventions, such as enhancing preventive beliefs or providing education regarding premarital sexual relationships in conservative societies. The current study had some limitations. Topics related to sexuality, such as premarital sexual relationship, are relatively personal and private, and are influenced by varying degrees of social, religious, moral, and legal norms and constraints. Thus, some people preferred not to speak about their sexual life, especially their sexual experiences. The main investigator was successful in decreasing this limitation by establishing rapport and trust. Also, because of religious and legal considerations, it is possible that only motivated or liberally minded young women participated, even though we invited all young women to participate in the study. Other researches on Iranian men with similar research questions are suggested to compare the findings.

Acknowledgments

This study was part of the first investigator’s thesis for receiving a PhD degree in Reproductive Health, at Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran. We would like to thank all young women who participated in this study.

Authors’ Contribution: Azam Rahmani was the main investigator, designed the study, collected the data and wrote the first draft. Effat Merghati Khoei and Lida Moghaddam-Banaem were the study supervisors. Ebrahim Hajizadeh contributed to the statistics management and was the study consultant. Ali Montazeri was the study consultant.

Funding/Support: Tarbiat Modares University funded this PhD thesis.

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Implementation of Sex Education: Issues of Premarital Sex, Teenage Pregnancy, Abortion, and STDs

• Categories: Premarital Sex Sex Education Teenage Pregnancy

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Published: May 24, 2022

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Essay on Premarital Sex

ESSAY SAMPLES , Essays on Education

The concept of premarital sex being appropriate differs from culture to culture. Religion also plays a very important role in determining whether premarital sex is legal or not. In some countries, premarital sex is a heinous crime, and individuals who engage in such acts are heavily penalized. In some cases, they are also killed as a law of the government. Premarital sex is the act of indulging in sexual activity prior to marriage. Marriage in some cultures is necessary to involve in a sexual act. In some cultures engaging in sexual activity before marriage is punishable by law. In this article, our main topic of discussion will be whether premarital sex is appropriate or not. Please continue reading to find out more information.

Premarital Sex in Different Religions

Some religions such as Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Hinduism do not allow premarital sex. Islam, on the other hand, has more definite punishments for committing this sin. Islam imposes a death sentence for someone who betrays a partner, and despite being married, has sex with someone. However, premarital sex is considered a sin and is punishable, but not as grave as post-marital sex. Pre-marital sex in Islam is punished with hurling 100 stones at the sinner if it happened with the consent of both males and females.

In almost all the major religions of the world premarital sex is a grave sin and anyone who engages in it is referred to as someone who will burn in hell hereafter. Christianity also discourages premarital sex but in the modern world especially in the west premarital sex is not considered bad. Many young men and women engage in it when in a relationship with the opposite sex. There are now strict laws in the west regarding premarital sex and it is considered a normal activity.

Is Premarital Sex Bad?

Having sexual relations with the opposite sex is natural and it is a basic instinct of a human being. It provides pleasure and satisfaction to an individual. Premarital sex can be harmful because it does not ensure individual commitment. It seems like that a person in a relationship is just after having sex and satisfies his urge if he involves in premarital sex. Marriage, on the other hand, is a formal commitment of two individuals to live together for a lifetime even through sufferings. It is a way of accepting another person as a life partner in front of other people. Therefore, it is considered legal and ethical in many cultures in the world. The most likely individuals engaging in premarital sex are teenagers.

Being young and inexperienced having such relationships can lead them to trouble. For instance, a teenage girl who engages in premarital sex can risk getting pregnant at such a young age. Since youngsters are studying they do not have the proper means of income to start a family and raise children. Such individuals can have a difficult time if they engage in premarital sex especially if they avoid birth control methods.

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