Premarital cohabitation is an increasing phenomenon in Brazil that has been largely influenced by the growing secularization of society. Premarital cohabitation refers to couples living together without being legally married, which used to be taboo in Brazil but has become more common nowadays. According to the 2019 National Household Sample Survey (PNAD), around 8% of all couples in Brazil are cohabiting, while this percentage reaches up to 46% among young people aged 15-29. This trend is also reflected in sexual behavior, where premarital sexual activity is very common among young Brazilians, including those who live together before marriage.
Religious Norms
Religion plays a significant role in shaping premarital cohabitation, sexual desire, and relational trust in Brazil. The majority of the population identifies as Roman Catholic (around 60%), followed by other Christian denominations such as Evangelical Protestantism (approximately 30%). These religions have strict rules regarding sexuality and relationships.
The Catholic Church forbids premarital sex and encourages abstinence until marriage.
It values fidelity within marriage, meaning that extra-marital affairs are considered sinful and can lead to excommunication from the church.
Not all religious norms are so conservative. Some Afro-Brazilian groups, such as Candomblé and Umbanda, allow for polygamy and even polyamory. These practices are rooted in African cultures and have been adapted to fit Brazilian society. In addition, some evangelical churches have loosened their stance on sexuality and now encourage couples to wait until marriage to consummate their relationship. They emphasize self-control and abstinence outside of marriage but do not condemn premarital sex outright.
Sexual Desire
Despite these varying beliefs, sexual desire remains an integral part of human nature, and it is essential to understand how it influences premarital cohabitation. Research suggests that people living together may have more frequent and intense sexual encounters than those who are not, which could be attributed to increased physical intimacy and emotional closeness.
This does not necessarily mean that cohabiting couples are having "casual" sex; many believe that their partnership is serious enough to warrant commitment.
Relational Trust
Trust plays a crucial role in any relationship, including premarital cohabitation. Building trust takes time and effort, and it requires open communication, honesty, and respect. Couples must learn to trust each other with their secrets, insecurities, and desires while being able to set boundaries and establish rules for the relationship. This can be challenging, particularly when one partner has different religious or cultural norms than the other.
Couples with differing views on monogamy may struggle to find compromise and reach a middle ground.
How do Brazilian religious norms shape premarital cohabitation, sexual desire, and relational trust?
Brazilian culture values marriage highly as an important milestone in life. Marriage is seen as a way for individuals to demonstrate their commitment to one another and gain social recognition. Premarital cohabitation may be frowned upon by some people because it suggests that the couple is not fully committed to each other yet.