Australian religious attitudes towards premarital cohabitation have had an extensive impact on sexual decision-making, intimate communication, and relational satisfaction among couples. This is due to their strict guidelines which prevent them from exploring their sexual desires before marriage. Most Australians adhere to traditional religious beliefs which dictate that sex should be reserved for married people only. As such, they are expected to remain abstinent until they get married. They believe that engaging in premarital sex is a sin and would lead to eternal damnation if they do so. This has resulted in many Australians living together without having sex while others choose to wait till after marriage.
The consequences of this have been felt across all spheres of life including sexual decision-making, intimate communication, and relational satisfaction.
Those who remain abstinent may find it difficult to express their sexual needs to their partners. They are also likely to experience frustration and disappointment since they cannot fulfill these needs. Moreover, there are many misconceptions about what is acceptable during sex and how often one can perform sex. Some Australian couples may assume that the frequency or type of sex they engage in will affect the quality of their relationship or their future children. These myths are perpetuated by religious teachings that suggest that sex outside marriage is wrong. This has led to couples feeling guilty or ashamed when discussing sex openly with each other.
Some Australian couples break away from the norm and engage in premarital cohabitation and sex.
This comes at a price. Since they have not been taught the importance of communication and negotiation in bed, they may face difficulties communicating effectively with their partners. They may find themselves stuck in an endless loop of trial and error, trying to figure out what works best for them both sexually.
They may find it hard to establish trust and commitment within their relationships because they have already broken the rules set by religion.
The impact of Australian religious attitudes towards premarital cohabitation on sexual decision-making, intimate communication, and relational satisfaction is significant. It has resulted in many Australians living together without having sex while others feel uncomfortable discussing sex openly. To avoid such issues, couples should strive to be honest with themselves and their partners, communicate effectively, and seek professional guidance if needed.
How do Australian religious attitudes toward premarital cohabitation influence sexual decision-making, intimate communication, and relational satisfaction?
According to research by Kite and colleagues (2018), religious beliefs can significantly shape individuals' attitudes towards premarital cohabitation and their subsequent sexual decisions, intimate communication patterns, and relational satisfaction. Religious beliefs are often characterized as highly moralistic, which means that they emphasize values such as chastity, modesty, and abstinence before marriage.