Abstinence from Premarital Sex: A Precursor to Quality Relationship and Marital Stability in Subsequent Marriage in Nigerian Society

The last half of the 20th century has witnessed substantial changes in the practice of premarital partnership among the youths and unmarried adults. The growing trend in premarital behavioural pattern of today exposes teenagers to living in the world of great sexual exploration and indulgence. This could negatively impact future marital quality and marital stability. This study examined the influence of premarital sex among 3,824 married people where 1931 (50.5%) were males and 1893 (49.5%) were female. The study showed that the respondents who engaged in premarital romantic activities and coitus did not experience the same quality marital relationship and stability as the married people who abstained from premarital sexual activities. Premarital sexual activities have potentially damaging effect on subsequent marriage relationships. Sexual abstinence among the youth before marriage could promote healthy marriage relationship in the future.