The current state of knowledge about how religious teachings on premarital sex influence adolescents' sexual self-concept is based on research from the past decade that has shown there are significant differences between those who have received religious instruction regarding the subject matter and those who have not. It was also found that these differences extend to their relational self-confidence and feelings of guilt associated with sexual behavior. This paper will review what this literature suggests for contemporary Australian religious teachings on premarital sex and its impact on adolescent sexual development.
Australia is one of the most secular countries in the world, with less than half of its population identifying as Christian in recent surveys.
Many Australians still attend church services regularly, including a small minority of young people. The number of adults reporting no religion has increased significantly in recent years.
In 2016, almost 40% of Australians reported having no religion or affiliation compared to around 25% in 20011.
Religious teachings on premarital sex
Different religions vary widely in their views on premarital sex. Some consider it permissible if certain conditions are met (e.g., marriage). Others condemn all types of sexual activity outside of marriage. Religious teachings emphasize abstinence until marriage and often view premarital sex as sinful or impure. These messages can be conveyed through sermons, Sunday school classes, and youth group activities. They may also be reinforced by parents and other members of the community.
Relationship of religiosity to sexual development
The relationship between religiosity and sexual development has been studied extensively over the past decade using longitudinal data from the United States and Europe. While studies have shown that religiosity tends to be negatively correlated with teenage sexual initiation, there is conflicting evidence about whether this effect persists into adulthood. Similarly, research suggests that religious individuals report higher levels of guilt associated with sexual behavior but lower levels of regret after engaging in casual sex than non-religious individuals.
However, it appears that both positive and negative effects of religiosity on sexual development depend on specific factors such as individual religiosity levels and contexts in which they experience sexual encounters.
Contemporary Australian religious teachings on premarital sex appear to have a significant impact on adolescents' sexual self-concept, relational confidence, and internalized guilt. This finding holds true across different religious denominations and societies. Thus, while the precise nature of these influences remains an open question for future study, it is clear that they should not be ignored when considering how best to support young people's healthy sexual development.
How do contemporary Australian religious teachings on premarital sex influence adolescents' sexual self-concept, relational confidence, and internalized guilt?
The contemporary religious teachings of Australians emphasize that premarital sex is not morally appropriate, and such behavior can have negative consequences. These teachings often include messages about the importance of abstaining from sexual activity before marriage, as well as the potential for physical and emotional harm caused by casual encounters.