Sexual abstinence
From ArticleWorld
Sexual abstinence involves an ongoing, deliberate refusal to engage in sexual activity or in some aspects of sexual activity. Both men and women engage in this practice.
Rationale
There are several reasons why someone would become sexually abstinent:
- Lack of a sexual partner
- Social expectations
- Religious expectations
- Religious vows, as with a Catholic priest or nun
- Desire to avoid potential of contracting an STD
- Fear of pregnancy
- Philosophical belief
- Legally-bound to refrain from some aspect of sex
Ethics and Religion
Many religions, including Judaism, Christianity and Islam, teach the practice of sexual abstinence and forbid sexual activity between individuals outside of marriage. In addition, certain priests or women of religion take “vows of chastity” and choose to refrain from both marriage and sexual activity. Others believe in religious ascetism which includes refraining from sexual activity as a part of an overall desire to attain self-control over many aspects of their life.
- Judaism does not allow the practice of sex prior to marriage.
- In the Islamic faith, abstinence is expected during and in the week following menses as well as for a period of time following childbirth.
- In Hinduism, abstinence from sex is believed to capture the energy of the body and mind, the goal being one of realizing one’s spiritual potential.
- Some who practice Buddhism find sexual abstinence to be an essential part of their belief system.
Modern Movements
Several modern sexual abstinence movements exist including secular and religion-based programs. Many of these movements are directed toward teaching young people the benefits of abstinence. Because of the rise in sexual promiscuity in teens and in the incidence of sexually-transmitted diseases, proponents of sexual abstinence argue that only through sexual abstinence can absolute protection against sexually-transmitted diseases and pregnancy be achieved.