Premarital and extra-marital sexual practices amongst some modern Zulus : an ethical response from a catholic perspective

Abstract

There is a rise in premarital and extra-marital sexual relations amongst some
 modern Zulus. The causes of this rise include the perpetual childhood of women in
 society and the political and socio-economic setting in South Africa. The results of
 this rise include teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.
 In Zulu traditional sexual practice the publicity of love affairs curbed sexual
 promiscuity. Many people were involved in the love affairs of young people. This
 tradition broke down because of the political, religious and socio-economic changes
 in South Africa.
 The Catholic Church teaches that marriage is sacred; it is an institution of God, a
 sacrament. Therefore premarital and extra-marital sexual relations taint the integrity
 of marriage.
 A number of things can be done to alleviate the problem of premarital and extramarital
 sexual promiscuity. These include: changing the political and socio-economic
 structures of our country; empowering women; inculturation; and changing the
 pastoral attitude of the Church towards sexuality.

M.Th. (Theological Ethics)