Premarital sex
Sexual relations before marriage, historically taboo and increasingly accepted.
Premarital sex is sexual intercourse between two people who are not married to each other. In many major religions, including Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, it is considered a major sin and is morally prohibited, and it is also a taboo in many cultures. Since the second half of the 20th century, it has become accepted by certain liberal and progressive social movements, especially in the Western world.
- definition_shift
- Until the 1950s referred to sex between two people prior to marrying each other; later shifted to any sexual relations before marriage
- global_disapproval_high
- Over 90% disapproval in Muslim-majority countries such as Malaysia, Jordan, and Pakistan (2014 Pew study)
- global_acceptance_high
- Less than 10% disapproval in Spain, Germany, and France (2014 Pew study)
- US_prevalence_by_age_20
- 77% of Americans had sex by age 20 in 2002, with 75% of those having premarital sex
- US_women_born_1949-1978
- Approximately 91% had premarital sex by age 30
- US_approval_shift_young_women
- Approval increased from 12% in 1943 to 73% in 1999
- US_approval_shift_young_men
- Approval increased from 40% in 1943 to 79% in 1999
Lore & Background
A 2001 UNICEF survey found that in 10 out of 12 developed nations with available data, more than two-thirds of young people have had sexual intercourse while still in their teens, with proportions over 80% in Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In the United States, a 2007 article in Public Health Reports stated that a majority of Americans have had premarital sex, true for current young adults and also young adults in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Data from the National Survey of Family Growth indicate that of women born between 1949 and 1978, approximately 91% had premarital sex by age 30, and of women born between 1939 and 1948, 82% had done so by age 30.
Reader's Guide
Premarital sex has undergone a profound transformation in social meaning and prevalence over the 20th and early 21st centuries. Originally a term tied to the expectation of marriage and closely linked to the concept of virginity, it has become a broad descriptor for any sexual activity before marriage, reflecting shifting cultural norms. The practice was historically underreported, especially by women, due to double standards, but by the late 20th century, large majorities in Western nations had engaged in premarital sex, with approval rates rising dramatically from the 1940s to the 1990s. This shift is tied to factors such as later marriage ages, effective contraception, and changing attitudes toward sexuality. However, significant global variation persists: in Muslim-majority countries, disapproval remains above 90%, while in Western Europe it falls below 10%. Gender differences in attitudes and emotional reactions have narrowed over time, though men still report more permissive attitudes and fewer negative emotions. Ethnic and cultural differences also shape attitudes, with religiosity and religious fundamentalism strongly predicting conservative views. The term itself remains ambiguous, and alternative terms such as non-marital sex, youthful sex, adolescent sex, and young-adult sex have been proposed, each with their own definitional challenges.
Did You Know?
- A 2014 Pew study found that premarital sex was considered particularly unacceptable in Muslim-majority countries such as Malaysia, Jordan, and Pakistan, each having over 90% disapproval.
- In the United States, approval of premarital sex among young women increased from 12% in 1943 to 73% in 1999.
- A 2001 UNICEF survey found that in Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States, over 80% of young people have had sexual intercourse while still in their teens.
- Of women born between 1949 and 1978 in the United States, approximately 91% had premarital sex by age 30.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is premarital sex?
Premarital sex refers to sexual intercourse between two individuals who are not married to one another. The term's scope has broadened over time, moving from specifically sex that occurred before a couple eventually married to any sexual activity that takes place prior to a marriage.
How do major world religions treat premarital sex?
Christianity, Islam, and Judaism all classify it as a serious moral violation and explicitly prohibit it. This religious prohibition has also reinforced its status as a cultural taboo in many societies worldwide.
How has public acceptance of premarital sex changed in the West?
From the mid-20th century onward, liberal and progressive movements in Western countries gradually reframed it as a normal part of adult life. In the United States, approval among young women jumped from roughly 12 percent in 1943 to about 73 percent by 1999.
What do global surveys say about attitudes toward premarital sex?
A 2014 Pew study found that more than 90 percent of respondents in Muslim-majority nations like Malaysia, Jordan, and Pakistan still disapproved. By contrast, fewer than 10 percent expressed disapproval in Spain, Germany, and France, highlighting a stark regional divide.
How prevalent is premarital sex among Americans?
A 2002 survey indicated that 77 percent of Americans had engaged in sex by age 20, and 75 percent of those encounters were premarital. Among women born between 1949 and 1978, approximately 91 percent reported having had premarital sex by age 30.
More in Sexual Practices & Identities 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record