Premarital Cohabitation in East Asia
Premarital cohabitation is increasingly common worldwide, including in East Asia.
It has been understudied compared to Western cultures due to cultural differences. In East Asia, marriage is often viewed as a sacred union between husband and wife rather than an emotional relationship between partners. This paper explores how East Asian religious attitudes toward premarital cohabitation shape sexual decision-making, relational trust, and intimacy.
Religious Values and Premarital Cohabitation
East Asian religions have strong views on premarital cohabitation.
Traditional Confucianism discourages cohabiting before marriage because it undermines family values and social order. In contrast, Buddhism promotes abstinence until marriage but recognizes that some couples may live together for practical reasons. Islam generally forbids all forms of sex outside marriage, including during cohabitation. Christianity allows for premarital cohabitation if both partners are committed to God's will and marriage.
Impact on Sexual Decision-Making
Religion shapes sexual decision-making by guiding people's beliefs about sex. In East Asia, religion influences decisions about when and with whom to have sex.
Many Christians believe that sex should be reserved exclusively for married couples, while others consider premarital sex acceptable if committed. Muslims view sex as sinful unless within marriage, leading them to delay initiation or avoid partnering. Traditional Confucianists believe sex should be limited to marriage, with no pre-marital experimentation allowed.
Relationship Trust and Intimacy
Religious beliefs also impact relationship trust and intimacy. East Asians who follow strict religious teachings tend to value fidelity in relationships more than those from liberal cultures. This can lead to lower rates of infidelity but higher expectations for monogamy.
Religious beliefs guide how much emotional and physical intimacy is permitted outside marriage.
Some religions allow for non-sexual touching and kissing during dating while others do not.
Religious attitudes towards premarital cohabitation shape sexual decision-making, relational trust, and intimacy in unique ways in East Asian culture.
How do East Asian religious attitudes toward premarital cohabitation shape sexual decision-making, relational trust, and intimacy?
In East Asia, traditional religions hold a strong influence on cultural norms surrounding romantic relationships and family values. As such, many East Asians believe that marriage should be preceded by a commitment to chastity and purity before the wedding night. This means avoiding sexual encounters outside of marriage. East Asian cultures also value relationships based on respect, loyalty, and trust.