Emotional Aspects Of Abstinence
Emotional Aspects of Abstinence
Classical Argument 2
ENG111
Through the nineteen-fifties, sex was a taboo subject, barely even talked about between spouses. Today, sex education is mandatory in many schools, teaching children about sex at a fairly young age. Many different forms of birth control are taught from contraceptives, to the rhythm method, to abstinence. For many, abstinence is the best of these not just because of sexually transmitted disease (STD) issues, but because of emotional side effects like, saving virginity for a future spouse, or the tendency of people to compare a partner to past partners, not to mention emotional damage that is carried from relationship to relationship.
The ability to say to a spouse; “I have been with no others but you,” on the honeymoon is one of the greatest wedding gifts that can be given (Vincent). The effects of saving oneself solely for the marriage bed will be felt for years to come. The biggest effect this act brings is the knowledge that someone has given himself or herself completely to the spouse. That is to say that this “someone” has never indulged in the most intimate of acts with anyone else, and therefore can give it completely to their spouse.
If, in a relationship, one or both parties have had sex with previous partners, the issue of comparison often arises (Carter). Of course it must be acknowledged that not every couple will have this issue, many will get over it early in the relationship while others may not have the problem at all. Yet the damage it can cause must also be acknowledged because sex is an emotional as well as a physical act. These comparisons arise in two ways; first someone may compare a spouse and the sexual relationship and experiences to relationships and experiences with previous partners, the second is that a person often may wonder whether or not the sexual relationship or experiences are being compared to previous...
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