In Korea, religion has played an important role in shaping cultural norms and values regarding premarital sex for centuries. While Christianity is not native to Korea and was introduced relatively recently, it still holds considerable sway in Korean society today.
Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, Shamanism, and animist beliefs have also contributed to the development of a culture that strongly discourages extramarital sexual activity. This paper will explore how religiosity affects attitudes towards premarital sex in contemporary South Korea, drawing from sociological and psychological research.
Religion has always been closely intertwined with sex in Korea.
Premarital sex was forbidden until very recently due to its association with "pollution," which could result in miscarriage, infertility, and other reproductive problems. Premarital sex was considered a threat to family honor and social order, and punishable by death or exile. In recent decades, as religious institutions lost their monopoly on morality, many Koreans became more liberal about sexual behavior outside marriage.
The influence of religion remains strong and continues to shape attitudes toward sex.
A 2018 survey found that nearly half of all respondents had had premarital sex at some point in their lives.
There were significant differences between religious groups. Only 34% of Christians reported ever having engaged in premarital sex compared to 52% among non-religious individuals. Another study found that women who attended church services regularly were less likely to engage in premarital sex than those who did not. The authors speculate that this may be due to the emphasis on abstinence and purity placed by Christian teachings.
Religiosity seems to play a greater role in shaping attitudes towards premarital sex for men than for women. A 2009 study found that while most Korean men felt it was acceptable to have premarital sex, they also believed that doing so would reduce the likelihood of marrying well. By contrast, most Korean women viewed premarital sex as immoral but saw little downside to it personally. This suggests that cultural norms surrounding virginity and chastity are still powerful even if not universal.
The influence of religion extends beyond simply encouraging or discouraging premarital sex. Religiosity is also associated with other aspects of sexual behavior such as frequency, satisfaction, and communication.
A 2017 study found that regular church attendance was linked to more frequent sexual activity among married couples. It also tended to increase emotional intimacy and communication about sex within relationships. While these findings must be interpreted cautiously, they suggest that religion can shape sexual attitudes in complex ways.
Religiosity plays an important role in shaping Koreans' attitudes toward premarital sex.
Its impact varies depending on gender, individual circumstances, and other factors. Further research is needed to understand how religious beliefs interact with social, economic, and psychological variables to influence sexual behavior.
How does religiosity influence premarital sex attitudes in Korea?
Religiosity has been found to play an important role in shaping Korean culture and values, including attitudes towards premarital sex. According to a study conducted by Kim et al. (2015), individuals who are more religious tend to hold traditional beliefs about marriage and sexuality, which often include abstaining from premarital sex.