Should society discourage premarital sex?

Pro: Approval of sexual activity among the unmarried encourages the begetting of illegitimate children. Sexual activity can result in the procreation of children who place many burdens on society even as they promise to renew it.

Pro: Approval of sexual activity among the unmarried promotes the development of certain unfavorable traits, like irresponsibility, in citizens. More specifically, the approval of sexual activity among the unmarried fosters a love for pleasure divorced from responsibility for and commitment to one's partners.

Con: Sexual activity gives individuals pleasure and contributes to their psychological well-being. When it occurs among unmarried people, it causes little or no social disruption. The choice of whether to engage in premarital sex should be left to individuals; restricting sexual activity is not something that other people, let alone government, ought to do.

Con: Premarital sex gives people knowledge by which they may make a better choice of a spouse. Sexual experience helps in getting to understand the person whom one might marry.

Pro: Sexual activity can transmit diseases that threaten the well-being and, in extreme cases, even the existence of society. Young people must learn that safety is an important consideration in sexual activity. Discouraging sexual activity is one way to safeguard the public health.

Pro: Sexual activity can produce jealousies and rivalries that may lead to social disorder; it may have constructive or destructive effects on social institutions and on the tone or quality of public as well as private life.