That did not have to do with pre-marital sex merely, but couples living together, and I never saw any follow up studies to confirm it.
The main point is this: do we have a principle upon which to reprove people morally for sex outside of marriage, even in the context of an affectionate, intimate, long- term relationship? We may say that marriage is better, we may express concern with responsible sexual practices that limit the exposure to STDs or unwanted pregnancy, but neither amounts to an actual condemnation of pre-marital sex. I cannot identify a principle that commands general assent (as opposed to originating in a specific religious framework) that could lead us to regard the sort of pre- marital sex I am referring to as simply wrong.
Also, I could not bring myself to cause antagonism over such a thing with my son, or to lose his trust and the ability to talk to him about such matters because of my strong disapproval. As it stands, by the way, my son has limited contact with girls, and far from being predatory, is rather shy around them....... |
