Premarital sex (also called non-marital sex, youthful sex, adolescent sex, and young-adult sex) is sexual activity, including vaginal intercourse, oral sex, and anal sex, practiced by persons who are unmarried. Although it has always been practiced, in the West it has increased in prevalence since the mid-1950s. Historically considered taboo by many cultures and considered a sin by numerous religions, it has become more commonly accepted in the last few decades. Until the 1950s,[1] the term “premarital sex” referred to sexual relations between two people prior to marrying each other. 2] During that period, Western societies expected that men and women marry by the age of 21 or 22; as such, there were no considerations that one who had sex would not marry. The term was used instead of fornication, due to the negative connotations of the latter. [1] The meaning has since shifted, referring to all sexual relations a person has prior to marriage; this removes emphasis on who the relations are with. [2] The definition has a degree of ambiguity. It is not clear whether sex between individuals legally forbidden from marrying, or the sexual relations of one uninterested in marrying could be considered premarital. 1] Alternative terms for premarital sex have been suggested, including non-marital sex (which overlaps with adultery), youthful sex, adolescent sex, and young-adult sex. These terms also suffer from a degree of ambiguity, as the definition of having sex differs from person to person. [1] Vaginal intercourse is the penetration of a woman’s vagina by a man’s penis. Although its biological purpose is reproduction, it is often performed entirely for pleasure and/or as an expression of love and emotional intimacy.
Oral sex is the use of the mouth to sexually stimulate a partner’s genitals in an attempt to bring him or her to orgasm. [3] In Western societies, premarital oral sex has become more frequent as it becomes less taboo. Historically, a couple would practice oral sex only after practicing vaginal intercourse. Oral sex is now often practiced prior to intercourse. Explanations for this trend include the reduction of the risk of sexually transmitted diseases and the retention of virginity without sacrificing sexual satisfaction
