DEPRESSION AFTER SEX: THE ROLE OF RELIGION

Religion as an entity has received renewed attention as a potent belief system and a force that influences the culture that can powerfully shape individuals’ attitudes towards sexual behaviors.

Growing up in a society where sex is seen as sacred and sexual purity is expected from young people as they get older especially the female gender can, in turn, affect how one perceives his/herself sexually. Over the years the paramount message of religious doctrines is that sex should be done between two individuals, a man and a woman that are legally married.

Religious beliefs such as:

• Sex is scared
• Destinies are exchanged during sexual intercourse
• Premarital sex is bad and a grave mistake
• Virginity is a treasure that must be guarded.

Tend to play a role as a causal effect in depression after sex. Feelings of regret, rejection, failure are experienced in individuals with conservative religious backgrounds and could also lead to fear of sex even in marriage.

Although given the increase in favorable attitudes toward premarital sex over time and the increasing prevalence of it in society at large there seems to be growing persecution present in religious places.

A positive approach should be adopted when teaching young people about sex, an approach that involves letting them know what sex is, its advantages and disadvantages, and all that it entails.