Sexual
Abstinence: Cliché or Necessity?
Sex is an important aspect
of life as an act of love or as a means of
perpetuating the human race. For many, it
is daily routine and people from all levels
of society have ready access to information
about it. The question, therefore, is why
should anyone deny his or herself the pleasure
of having sex?
Sexual abstinence is the term
that sums up the denial of what is considered
an innate urge. Simply put, sexual abstinence
is about not having sexual intercourse. Some
may argue that too much emphasis is placed
on abstinence, when majority of individuals
are already engaging in sexual activity. It
may also be argued that abstinence only applies
to religious people, as they are seen as the
ones who will receive chastisement for failure
to adhere to their respective canons of belief,
regarding temperance in the area of their
sexuality.
However, abstinence
is absolutely prudent for everyone. One reason
for exercising prudence in this area is the
possibility of sexual transmitted diseases
and unwanted pregnancy. These issues could
have any number of social and emotional consequences,
not the least of which is the possibility
of exacerbating an already overpopulated country.
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Marriage -
Tying the knot…or not
Blushing
brides festooned in silken white dresses perfected
by veils and nervous bridegrooms in stylishly
tailored suits will walk down the isle this
June. It is a popular month for weddings and
takes its name from Juno, the Roman goddess
of marriage.
There are those who take immense joy in continuing
this religious and civil tradition that transcends
religion, language and culture. However, many
'enlightened' persons today believe that the
marital union is archaic and unnecessary.
Why do couples undertake this great expense
and often incur enormous debt to get married?
Why not simply "take onto oneself a wife"
and live ever after in a state of cohabitation?
Why marriage?
The question may best
be answered by first determining what constitutes
a marriage. Marriage is a legal relationship
between spouses - man and woman. It is "a
legally recognised relationship, established
by a civil or religious ceremony, between
two people who intend to live together as
sexual and domestic partners, according to
the Encarta Reference Library. The church
views it as a conjugal union of man and woman
that obliges them to live together throughout
life.
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Dennis and
Ada James - Love 37 years strong
Over
thirty-seven years ago, with the lush, scenic
tranquility of Hope Gardens as a romantic
backdrop, a young woman named Ada and a slightly
older fellow named Dennis set eyes on each
other for the very first time. It was an encounter
that would change both their lives, cementing
a union that would span for almost four decades,
and running.
"Hope Gardens was a very
popular place for young folks to hang out
in those days," reminisced Ada, now a
grandma who just turned sixty-one in April.
"It was a place where you could go and
relax and enjoy the flowers and nature; and
that's where I met my husband, in that beautiful
place."
Though they met in Kingston,
neither Dennis James nor his wife, Ada, is
from the capital city. Sixty-nine years ago,
Dennis was born in Luidasvale in St. Catherine.
He spent his childhood days between home and
the neighbouring parish of St. Ann, before
moving to Kingston when he was thirteen. Ada
was born in Harmons in Manchester and came
to settle in Kingston in the 1970's. The couple
has been married now for twenty-two years,
a period rich with marital bliss but also
sprinkled with the occasional sorrow, disappointment
and heartache. The couple clung together for
a good fifteen years before officially tying
the knot and exchanging vows, but in their
hearts they knew they were committed to each
other long ago.
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