Why People Should Refrain from Premarridal Sex

Why People Should Refrain From Premarital Sex

For many years Americans have been wondering about the effects of premarital sex. Society’s mindset concerning premarital sex has become more lax; it is no longer necessary to be engaged before engaging in sexual relations. In many cases, sex is a common aspect of relationships. Some say that premarital sex is a driving force that is destroying the adolescents of America. On the other hand, many people believe sex is just part of life and see no reason to refrain from something that is enjoyable. Adolescents believe that they are acting in an unselfish and loving way by having sex with their partner. Nothing could be farther from the truth. In many cases, people find that once they have engaged in premarital sex, it becomes the driving force of the relationship. It is blocking the very communication it is designed to promote. It seems as though adolescents are faced with the choice to either be completely abstinent or have many continual sexual relationships. It is argued that if one does everything sexual right and safe, and if both parties are in an active sex life satisfying them both, then there is nothing wrong with what they are doing. This is not the case. People should withhold from premarital sex because there are many risks and consequences to health, society, and future relationships, and sex is supposed to be experienced through a marriage.

First, people should refrain from premarital sex because of its many risks and consequences. Sex is no longer an act with few consequences; now it carries many dangers and can hurt a great number of people. For instance, if one were to engage in premarital sex and become pregnant, her actions would be a disgrace to her family and friends. Furthermore, Bruno Leone and M. Teresa O’Neill believe, “Premarital sexual relations lead to an impersonal attitude towards current and past sexual partners” (30). Stephen J. and Shelagh K. Genuis agree with the ever-present dangers of sex:

Early sexual intercourse is commonly associated with a higher number of lifetime partners, and consequently, a higher risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections. From the perspective of sexually transmitted infection, sexual encounters include not only past partners but also all of their partners’ partners. Thus voluntarily delaying sexual debut is of key importance in the prevention of sexual transmitted infections and the promotion of long-term health. (894)

Leone and O’Neill also report that “once children rush into sexual activity, they increase their chances of never getting to know and love one another as persons” (30).

Those who are less informed disagree that getting a sexually transmitted infection is not high risk. These people are not aware of the reality of sexual infections. According to the American Social Health Association, there are approximately 65 million people living in the United States with an STD. Each year there are approximately 15 million new cases of STDs. Two-thirds of these cases occur in the 25 and younger age group, and one in four new cases occur in adolescents. Although 25 percent of Americans will be diagnosed with an STD, less than 50 percent of the 18-44 age bracket will be tested for only HIV/AIDS and not any of the other STDs (Facts). Finally, P. Roger Hillerstrom depicts through a medical viewpoint the effects of premarital sex always carrying the threat of sexually transmitted disease (STD). One can contract an STD through means other than sexual intercourse. The dangers include gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, genital warts, genital herpes, and acquired immune deficiency syndrome, also known as AIDS (90-99). Premarital sex can destroy one’s entire life.

The Allan Guttmacher Institute reported in 1999 that only 20 percent of people did not have sex as adolescents, and in fact, over 50 percent of adolescents 17 years old reported having engaged in intercourse (“Teen”). Perhaps the reason for these figures is a permissive cycle in society. Of 527 college students surveyed at Northern Kentucky University in 2003, 85 had signed an abstinence pledge; of those, 52 had premarital sex within one year (Akst). That’s not even the total number of people engaged in premarital sex, just a subset of a few at one university who broke a pledge.

In 1999 the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit on behalf of two girls who were expelled from their school’s National Honor Society chapter for engaging in premarital sex (“Somer”). Since society allows the permissive cycle, they don’t believe that premarital sex is such a big deal. However, the NHS constitution states in Article IX, section 2: “Candidates shall…be evaluated on the basis of service, leadership, and character.”