Survey finds 10 partners before marriage 'normal'

Drudge ^ | 10th December 2001 | Ananova

[Don Myers]

Survey finds 10 partners before marriage 'normal'

The majority of young people think it is normal for a person to have at least 10 sexual partners before marriage.

A survey has also found that three in 10 believe it is acceptable for a girl to lose her virginity before the age of 15.

Research carried out by Brook, the youth sex advisory service, says there is a "cultural change" in young people's attitudes towards sex.

Some 64% of men and 54% of women agreed that it was acceptable for a person to sleep with more than 10 partners before getting married.

But the survey, which questioned people aged 17 to 25, also showed that they wanted more information about sex and contraception.

Men admitted to getting most of their knowledge about contraception from TV and magazines, while women learned the most from magazines and their mothers.

Half of all the young women surveyed said they wished that teachers had supplied them with more information about preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

Brook chief executive Jan Barlow said: "Young people have an increasing number of sexual partners and they are saying that's OK.

"But at the same time they don't have the information and access to services that they need.

"Young people must seek out advice and information in order to make their choices and to understand how to protect themselves both against pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases."

[marajade]

When talking about virginity why is it people only associate with females?

[marajade]

Hang in there... I was 28 and my husband was 31 at the time of marriage and we were both pure.

[FreedomFriend]

I don't understand why your father would say such a thing. Obviously, your current situation would reveal that your father was right all along. Perhaps he is trying to make you feel better, saying, "well, I didn't mean what I said", so as to gloss over the reluctance to follow a good path and to not hurt you so much. I don't know. However, I will say this. You need to make the best of the situation you are in. That includes learning to love your wife in the best possible way, receive Christian counseling if need be. You know, I'm sure that God can use you in a way to better the relationship for the both of you. However, it is up for us, man, to heed the call. God Bless You.

[Don Myers]

"I assume from your position that you did not engage in premarital sex. If that is correct, then perhaps you aren't in the best position to judge whether or not doing so is harmful."

Well....I haven't jumped off a cliff. I haven't shot drugs into my veins; heck, I haven't even smoked a joint. I just haven't lived at all. I guess that I don't really have the life experiences to say anything about anything.

[Don Myers]

"In Utah. The age of consent for marriage is still 14."

You are talking marriage. Everyone else is talking about singles engaging in sex.

[marajade]

And people wonder why there are so many unwanted pregnancies these days?

[independentmind]

My, aren't we feeling good about ourselves today. You are certainly aware that divorce rates are highest in the bible belt states, which by mere coincidence are also the states in which the average marriage age is the lowest and church attendance the highest.

Now why don't you make a similar comment about the divorce rate among Catholics? It is the Catholic Church, afterall, that has the strictest teachings about premarital sex and the indissolubility of marriage.

[Doctor Doom]

We should establish the Committee for the Encouragement of Virtue and the Discouragement of Vice.

I know where we can find some advisors who are currently out of work and willing to relocate.

[marajade]

My husband wasn't the most handsome guy that I dated either but he had the best character of any man I ever dated. The more I got to know his heart the more handsome he became.

[marajade]

"I knew a girl who had been with 25 guys before she turned 18."

That's sad. Did she have a strong father figure?

[marajade]

"I don't think it is wise to discount the importance of sexual compatibility in a relationship."

Are you a christian?

[Don Myers]

"I come from a religious background, and my family just didn't talk about sex."

"I eventually confronted my father about all this, and after looking back on it all he pretty much conceded that everything they taught me was a bunch of BS. "

"By `costs' I am refering to opportunity costs, not money."

They didn't talk about sex, but yet what they taught you was BS. Just what did they teach you that was wrong?

You are complaining now that you didn't have the sexual experiences that the other guys have? I don't know your situation, but is it possible that you married the wrong woman?

[marajade]

It is mostly the women who come out on the losing side of this equation.

Which is a double standard.

[Thumper1960]

What does the poll say about sex after marriage? More partners, or less?

[marajade]

And your point is? You have to be single before you are married.

[marajade]

Now why don't you make a similar comment about the divorce rate among Catholics? It is the Catholic Church, afterall, that has the strictest teachings about premarital sex and the indissolubility of marriage.

And then there are the Kennedy's who donate huge sums of money to the Catholic Church as a priest will just give them all the annulments they want.

[Don Myers]

"You have to be single before you are married."

Yes, I believe that is normally true. It is just that we are not discussing sex within marriage.

[marajade]

You are assuming that most of those 14 year olds in Utah are virgins?

[Don Myers]

"What does the poll say about sex after marriage? More partners, or less?"

The poll doesn't address that; but for many married people, according to other polls, it can mean more. Adultery is very common.

[Don Myers]

"You are assuming that most of those 14 year olds in Utah are virgins?"

I am assuming nothing about them one way or the other. I am not even thinking about them.