Reconciling the diverse opinions on the issue of premarital sex is not a task that can be achieved without engaging in critical analytical reasoning. To a great extent, the disparity in views on premarital sex is a function of the different cultures and moral templates of people across the globe. However, the controversy on premarital sex can be simplified into a single question: Is premarital sex morally justified or not? Is it a vice or a virtue?
The pleasure involved in the subject has not helped those who indulge in it to give an unbiased view about it. The fun derived from sex has not only obscured the truth about sex, but it has also redefined the divine purpose of sex. Theologically, God’s purpose in creating sex is to consummate a man and woman in a solemn wedlock. The Bible says that any sex outside of wedlock is a sin…”You shall not commit adultery” (Matthew 5:27).
The book holy to Muslims, the Holy Quran, also prohibits premarital sex and preaches chastity in women. They should be chaste and not commit illegal sex, nor take a boyfriend” (Quran 4:25, Yussuf Ali’s English Interpretation). The two major religions in the world explicitly state that sex is ordained by God as a sacred practice between a man and a woman in holy matrimony.
Apart from the theological argument, socially, too, premarital sex is not good. The reasons for this claim are many. One that readily comes to mind is teenage pregnancy, which keeps increasing at an alarming rate. We all know that without premarital sex, there cannot be pregnancy in our adolescence. Teenagers, ordinarily suffering from juvenile delinquency, have chosen to escalate sex. The adults have not helped these youths either, with the immoral sexual scenes in movies and magazines that are circulated worldwide. Even advertisements without sex appeal are considered outdated. This has brought about the much-talked-about moral decadence in our society at large. Hence, premarital sex is invariably the genesis of our societal depreciation.
Again, this subject leads to other controversial issues such as abortion. Almost 50% of pregnant women have contemplated abortion at least once in their lifetime. The decision of whether to keep an unwanted baby or opt for abortion greatly depends on the readiness of the two expectant parents. Mostly in third world countries, especially in Africa where poverty is predominant, teenagers opt for quack doctors due to their low fees for abortion. This has led to complications such as the destruction of the patient’s womb, which may mean that the patient will never be able to conceive again, or worse still, it may lead to death.
Finally, many young women with bright futures and brilliant plans have been forced to abandon their plans and careers due to unwanted pregnancy, which often occurs at the peak of their careers. These are careers that could have propelled them to historic levels in their chosen fields.
The complications of unwanted pregnancy also have psychological aspects to them. These include the trauma of a teenager keeping her pregnancy from her strict parents and gossiping peers, as well as the fear of general condemnation by society. I believe all will readily agree with me that these complications can simply be prevented by maintaining one’s chastity and avoiding the momentary pleasure of premarital sex, which could lead to several moments of hardship thereafter. With all of these reasons, I believe this essay has rightly proven that premarital sex is bad and should not be encouraged whatsoever.
References:
- The Holy Bible, King James Version
- The Holy Quran, Yusuf Ali English Translation
- Joseph Omoregbe. Euthanasia and Abortion: A Philosophical View. AF Print, Ibadan, 2000.
