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.