- Headline: "Clinical Notes from Medical Authorities <110> Premarital Intercourse and Virginity"
- Source: Kyunghyang Shinmun
- Date of Publication: August 11, 1975
- Summary:
Recently, the phenomenon of sexual liberation has become increasingly prominent in our country, with premarital intercourse noticeably on the rise. The emergence of unwed motherhood as a significant societal issue is a clear indication of this trend. Premarital intercourse not only raises concerns about unintended pregnancies but also leads to psychological conflicts that can easily escalate into mental health issues. It may also foster distorted attitudes toward sexuality. It is essential for families to provide proper sexual education to their children and make concerted efforts to help them resolve the psychological conflicts associated with sexual matters. This text is contributed by Professor Hee-Yong Lee of the Department of Urology at Seoul National University College of Medicine. The belief that preserving premarital chastity, giving birth within the bounds of marriage, and forming a family through this process was the most moral and "normal" course of action was a value shared across various sectors in 1970s Korea, including experts, intellectuals, and women’s advocacy groups. The stigma surrounding unwed pregnancies and childbirth intensified as these normative family ideals were further entrenched, thereby justifying the adoption of children born to unwed mothers. (See Hee-Jung Kwon, The Birth of Unwed Mothers: The History of Exiled Mothers (unofficial translation), Antonia’s Books, 2019.)
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