The Benefits and Drawbacks of Celibacy

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsReasons to Practice CelibacyBenefitsDrawbacksMaking Your Decision

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Reasons to Practice Celibacy

Benefits

Drawbacks

Making Your Decision

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Celibacyis a vow of long-term restraint from sexual intercourse, often untilmarriage.There are some instances that individuals vow to reframe from sex for a lifetime, for example, priests or nuns.

Other’s may decide to remain celibate for a specific duration of time, such as a few months or years, possibly until they are in a relationship with a partner.

It is considered “involuntary celibacy” when an individual is open to the idea of sex but is unable to find a partner. There are different ideas of what is considered celibacy. It can either be no sexual engagement at all, no penetration of any sort, or no penetration of a male’s genitals into a female’s.

The difference between celibacy and abstinence is that abstinence is not necessarily a vow. As a result of celibacy, a person remains abstinent, which is the action of refraining from sex with penetration.

Celibacy is often practiced to uphold religious,spiritual, or cultural beliefs that often view sex as a sacred virtue to only be experienced once a person is married.A person is expected to remain a virgin until their wedding day. Virginity, in many religions and cultures, is seen as arepresentation of purityand innocence, especially for women.This is where the concept of a white wedding dress originated from.

Celibacy is not always a choice related toreligion. Some make the decision to be celibate because of personal beliefs, values, or curiosity. They may decide to wait to engage in sexual intercourse until they find a long-term partner.Celibacy is also practiced as a preventive measure to avoid possible undesired outcomes associated with sex, such as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), unwanted pregnancy, oremotional distress.

Benefits of Practicing Celibacy

Celibacy has many advantages, that can help avoid both theemotionaland physiological concerns associated with sexual intercourse with unfamiliar partners. It also broadensspiritualwell-being and can help strengthen one’s connection with God. In addition, celibacy can enhance character traits like restraint, patience, andself-compassion.

Celibacy can also help one save money because they don’t need to worry about using protection. This means avoiding purchases such as condoms,birth control, or other contraceptives. It additionally removes the possibility of unplannedpregnanciesand lessens exposure to sexual diseases.

Drawbacks of Practicing Celibacy

Remaining celibate requires a certain amount of self-restraint and willpower that can cause one to feel overwhelmed at times. This is why it is important to benonjudgmentalwith oneself and make sure celibacy is really a commitment that you want to stick to.

There is a possibility of experiencing sexual frustration when celibate as if one’s sexual desires are not being fulfilled. A person can additionally feel self–conscious or left behind amongst peers who are having sex.Celibacy can also cause someone to feel insecure or inexperienced once they eventually do have sex.

The origins of celibacy have verysexistconnotations existing for centuries. In the past, women were not often seen as sexual beings in most cultures. Although progress has been made over time, women are still associated with the concept of remaining pure and untouched, whilst men are viewed as sexual entities.

Men are sometimes praised when having multiple partners whereas women are condemned. This type of viewpoint can also create a lot of underline societal pressures and forced stereotypical behaviors from men.

How to Make the Decision to Be Celibate

If you are considering celibacy, review the following information for expertise on how to decide whether this lifestyle practice is for you:

What Is Sex Therapy?

Sometimes, if the decision is solely based on religious obligation it may produce future resentment towards religion. You must also feel as an individual that this is the best choice for you spiritually, emotionally, and physically. If you’re having a hard making this decision, asex therapistmay be able to help guide you.

How Sexual Repression Can Impact Your Life

5 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Manuel GM.Religious celibacy from the celibate’s point of view.J Relig Health. 1989;28(1); 279–297. doi:10.1007/BF00986066Donnelly D, Burgess E, Anderson S, Davis R, Dillard J.Involuntary Celibacy: A Life Course Analysis.The Journal of Sex Research.2001;38(2): 159–169. doi:jstor.org/stable/3813706Sipe AWR.Celibacy today: Mystery, myth, and miasma.CrossCurrents. 2008;57(4): 545–562. doi:jstor.org/stable/24461391Williams MS, Hunter DG.Marriage, celibacy, and heresy in ancient christianity. the jovinianist controversy.The Journal of Ecclesiastical History.2008;59(2): 304-305. doi:10.1017/S0022046907003685Imtoual A, Hussein S.Challenging the myth of the happy celibate: Muslim women negotiating contemporary relationships.Cont Islam.2009;3(1): 25–39. doi:10.1007/s11562-008-0075-6

5 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Manuel GM.Religious celibacy from the celibate’s point of view.J Relig Health. 1989;28(1); 279–297. doi:10.1007/BF00986066Donnelly D, Burgess E, Anderson S, Davis R, Dillard J.Involuntary Celibacy: A Life Course Analysis.The Journal of Sex Research.2001;38(2): 159–169. doi:jstor.org/stable/3813706Sipe AWR.Celibacy today: Mystery, myth, and miasma.CrossCurrents. 2008;57(4): 545–562. doi:jstor.org/stable/24461391Williams MS, Hunter DG.Marriage, celibacy, and heresy in ancient christianity. the jovinianist controversy.The Journal of Ecclesiastical History.2008;59(2): 304-305. doi:10.1017/S0022046907003685Imtoual A, Hussein S.Challenging the myth of the happy celibate: Muslim women negotiating contemporary relationships.Cont Islam.2009;3(1): 25–39. doi:10.1007/s11562-008-0075-6

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Manuel GM.Religious celibacy from the celibate’s point of view.J Relig Health. 1989;28(1); 279–297. doi:10.1007/BF00986066Donnelly D, Burgess E, Anderson S, Davis R, Dillard J.Involuntary Celibacy: A Life Course Analysis.The Journal of Sex Research.2001;38(2): 159–169. doi:jstor.org/stable/3813706Sipe AWR.Celibacy today: Mystery, myth, and miasma.CrossCurrents. 2008;57(4): 545–562. doi:jstor.org/stable/24461391Williams MS, Hunter DG.Marriage, celibacy, and heresy in ancient christianity. the jovinianist controversy.The Journal of Ecclesiastical History.2008;59(2): 304-305. doi:10.1017/S0022046907003685Imtoual A, Hussein S.Challenging the myth of the happy celibate: Muslim women negotiating contemporary relationships.Cont Islam.2009;3(1): 25–39. doi:10.1007/s11562-008-0075-6

Manuel GM.Religious celibacy from the celibate’s point of view.J Relig Health. 1989;28(1); 279–297. doi:10.1007/BF00986066

Donnelly D, Burgess E, Anderson S, Davis R, Dillard J.Involuntary Celibacy: A Life Course Analysis.The Journal of Sex Research.2001;38(2): 159–169. doi:jstor.org/stable/3813706

Sipe AWR.Celibacy today: Mystery, myth, and miasma.CrossCurrents. 2008;57(4): 545–562. doi:jstor.org/stable/24461391

Williams MS, Hunter DG.Marriage, celibacy, and heresy in ancient christianity. the jovinianist controversy.The Journal of Ecclesiastical History.2008;59(2): 304-305. doi:10.1017/S0022046907003685

Imtoual A, Hussein S.Challenging the myth of the happy celibate: Muslim women negotiating contemporary relationships.Cont Islam.2009;3(1): 25–39. doi:10.1007/s11562-008-0075-6

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