Author: Mawlawi Ismail Sarani
Adultery: Its Prevalence and Destructive Effects on Society (Part 6)
The Sexual Revolution
Human history has always witnessed various changes in the customs, traditions, and cultures of different societies. At times, these changes occur rapidly and fundamentally. One such profound transformation was the sexual revolution of the late twentieth century.
The sexual revolution left a deep impact on human behavior, sexual customs and traditions, public life, and social institutions. “The dizzying speed of sexual transformations led to a rapid spread of sexual freedom and behaviors among young people. In 2006, researchers at the Guttmacher Institute published a report on premarital sexual relationships that attracted media attention. About 95% of people in the United States had experienced some form of sexual relationship before marriage. Today, some experts avoid the term premarital sex because its meaning has changed. Historically, this concept referred to girls and boys who had a relationship that would eventually lead to marriage — sex was understood in the context of marriage. But most sexual relationships among modern youth no longer end in marriage. For many young people, marriage is not even part of the equation, and the connection between premarital sex and marriage has been lost. Today, the age of marriage has increased, and an individual may have experienced sex many times before getting married.
Along with historical changes and the rise in sexual activity among teenagers and youth, the number of sexual partners among young people has also increased. Based on one study, 70% of men and 12% of women reported having sexual relationships with more than one partner before marriage.”
A historical look at male-female sexual relations in the West reveals a series of significant phases:
1. The Traditional, Religious, and Moral Stage
The first stage of premarital relations in the West can be described as one of adherence to traditional, religious, and moral boundaries. This stage persisted in the West until the early 20th century. Before the first decade of the twentieth century, relationships with the opposite sex were formed within the framework of marriage. Boys and girls would meet for the purpose of marriage, and parents played a significant role in their children’s marital choices. These relationships were shaped by culture and tradition, and the first sexual contact typically occurred within marriage.
Harding and Jencks write: “In 1969, more than 75% of Americans believed that premarital sex was shameful and immoral.”
Virginity before marriage had historically been considered valuable, and those who engaged in sexual relationships outside marriage were both socially rejected and held negative self-perceptions.
2. The Sexual Revolution
After World War II, beginning in the mid-20th century, the desire for sexual freedom began to rise. Some researchers believe that from 1970 onward, the second stage of premarital relations in the West emerged. A more permissive attitude toward premarital relationships became widespread, and relationship patterns began to change.
Many scholars refer to the changes that occurred from the 1960s through the 1980s as the sexual revolution. These decades are considered a period of sexual liberation.
One of the consequences the world faced after the rise of sexual freedom was unwanted pregnancies. In 1972, it became legal for unmarried individuals to use contraceptives. In 1973, abortion was legalized. Numerous books and writings were devoted to normalizing and justifying abortion, aiming to eliminate feelings of guilt associated with the act.
Overall, from the late 19th to the mid-20th century, the spread of the concept of “free love” laid the foundation for sexual freedom in Western societies.
Although in 1969, more than 75% of Americans believed premarital sex was wrong and shameful, by the 1980s, only 33% held the same belief — a striking shift in public attitudes. These social changes normalized sexual relationships and the loss of virginity among young people.
Over time, premarital relationships in Western culture were no longer viewed negatively; they became acceptable and even considered normal. Many such relationships initially began with friendship and gradually evolved into sexual involvement.
With several decades having passed since the sexual revolution, its consequences are becoming increasingly visible. Teenagers and young people now face a host of challenges that previous generations never encountered. Those involved in sexual relationships are often confronted with a range of physical, psychological, familial, and social harms.
In response to the various harms of sexual freedom in the West, a strong movement led by religious groups emerged, one of whose goals was to halt the sexual revolution. This movement succeeded in placing safe sex education on the agenda and had it implemented in many school systems across the country. However, despite these efforts, several sexually transmitted diseases saw a dramatic rise.
This led to a new program being introduced: sexual self-restraint until marriage. This program was promoted with slogans like:
“The way for teens to express sexuality in a sexually saturated world is through marriage.”
“Teenagers are capable of delaying sexual activity.”
“They become more valuable if they wait.”
This program received widespread support from American families for the education of sexual self-restraint before marriage. Over 90% of parents expressed their desire for teens to be taught to abstain from sex at least until the end of high school. Around 84% of parents preferred that their children abstain until marriage. More than 90% of teenagers also showed interest in participating in sexual self-restraint education programs at least through the end of high school.
Continues…
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