Today’s youth is bombarded with immoral and unwise conceptions of sexuality, sexual freedom and sexual morality just about everywhere. All of these messages chalk up to a dangerous statement: “Do what feels good to you.” As society accepts more and more sexual freedom, our generation is assured that sex and sexuality don’t need to be meaningful and any sexual limit is suppression.

This attitude towards sexuality is nothing new. However, in recent years, an emphasis has been placed on widespread sexual freedom. According to society, one can portray themselves however they please. Today’s culture tells us that sex is for whenever it is desired and meant for pleasure inside or outside of a functioning relationship. For instance, just about any television series targeted to our age group features relationships that focus heavily on frequent sex. Many celebrities appeal to fans with romantically and sexually dramatic lives, revealing clothing and suggestive content in the case of musical artists.

Additionally, social media serves as a platform for anyone to share their promiscuity, which oftentimes is taken advantage of by users. This culture of rampant sexuality is toxic. Our society has blurred the line between love and lust. Even if you’re lucky to grow up with parents and friends who reject casual sexuality, there’s no escaping the ideology of our current culture on sex.

Sex and sexual activity should wait until after marriage. It is not something to share with just anyone. Unfortunately, our culture is made up largely of people who believe it is acceptable to have sex with multiple partners, viewing this interaction as something to give freely to anyone they want. They find sex has no purpose beyond pleasure.

Ideally, people would view sexuality much differently, saving themselves for sexual intimacy with their spouse. They would have self-control over desire, and exercise their sexuality with care, aiming for the most optimal time and person to share it with.

Of course, sex can be tempting, and it’s easy to give into it, especially if that someone tempting you is a boyfriend or girlfriend. Society tells us temptation is meant to be given into; when you’re ready, go for it.

The truth is, though, sex is the last step in the process of falling in love with someone. Sex comes with responsibility. When you make the choice to share that kind of union with someone, you are choosing to bind yourself to them. You are choosing to accept physical and emotional vulnerability associated with sex. Sex is not meaningless. It is a decision. If you’re not ready to fall in love, be emotionally supportive, care and listen to each other, become engaged, get married and have a family, then you’re not ready for sex.

Maybe you don’t buy into the idea of sexual morality. However, there are reasons to wait beyond good behavior and preserving the meaningful nature of sex. To start, you can easily get STDs and STIs from frequent sex. The more promiscuous you are, the greater the chance of this happening. Condoms and birth control are prominent parts of casual sex, but they are not perfect in morality or purpose. Are you ready to handle pregnancy? Many married couples are not ready for an unplanned child, let alone two young adults who had casual sex. There are many physical risks associated with sex. If you are not ready to go through the consequences or responsibility of an STD, STI, pregnancy or any other unexpected result together, then the risk should not be taken.

Sex  can  wait. It’s not  that dating and relationships can’t be strengthened by physical involvement. There are plenty of ways to keep a relationship physically intimate without sex or similar acts. Furthermore, we’re not saying sex is intrinsically immoral. We only stress that it is important to have sex in the proper context.

All in all, we encourage everyone to recognize the risks of casual sex, as well as the meaning it can have if one waits for the best time to share it. Don’t make choices you will regret.