SEX BEFORE MARRIAGE: A KILLER OR A PATHWAY TO LASTING MARRIAGE By NNEJI NKEIRUKA EUNICE

Marriage is the process by which two people make their relationship public, official, and permanent. It is the joining of two people in a bond that is presumed to last until death, but in practice is often cut short by separation or divorce.

 

Marriage is the beginning of the family and is a life-long commitment. It also provides an opportunity to grow in selflessness as you serve your spouse and children. Marriage is more than a physical union; it is also a spiritual and emotional union. This union mirrors the one between God and His church.

 

On the other hand, sex before marriage (pre-marital sex) is a sexual activity practised by people before they are married. Historically, pre-marital sex was considered a moral issue which was a taboo in many cultures and considered a sin by a number of religions, but since about the 1960s, it has become more widely accepted, especially in Western countries.

 

It may be common for couples to have sex before marriage but a new study shows that couples who delay sex until their wedding night have more stable and happier marriage than couples who have pre-marital sex, according to the journal of family psychology.

 

But is this entirely true or is there more to a lasting marriage than when sex comes into the relationship? Absolutely yes! There is more to a lasting marriage than when couples engage in a sexual relationship.  Keeping a marriage strong takes work! It includes:

·        Open communication

·        Mutual respect and admiration

·        Usual outing trips

·        Constructive disagreements

·        Trust, etc.

 

Yes, sex plays a big role in marriage. Just like couples discuss children, religion, where they will live, sex should also be discussed before tying the knot. According to Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) the divorce statistics in Nigeria shows that 0.2% of men and 0.3% of women decide to end their marriages. The most common factors identified as fueling divorce in Nigeria include:

• ·       Lack of preparation before marriage
• ·        Lack of sexual intimacy
• ·        Lack of communication
• ·        Abuse
• ·        Unfaithfulness in marriage
• ·        High expectation
• ·        Lack of trust
• ·        Interference from a third party
• ·        Money matters
• ·        Age differences
• ·        Childlessness and infertility
• ·        Incompatibility
• ·        Lack of proper courtship
• ·        Lack of exposure and intellectual development

 

Marriage is an institution founded by God. Sex is like most other pleasurable things in life. Couples can have sex in ways that are fulfilling, fun, good and generous but the effect of sex alone is minimal compared to other factors which can make or mar a marriage.

 

ABOUT THE WRITER 

NNEJI NKEIRUKA EUNICE

Code Number: OS/20A/0807

Course: Mass Communication

Institution: Ecole Superieure DE Management Universite (ESM) Benin Republic

State of Origin: Imo State