What does sex have to do with ethics? Judging by the popular image conveyed on TV from sitcoms and reality shows, not much. We're led to believe that extramarital sex is primarily a recreational activity, no more personal or significant than going to a baseball game.
But no matter how modern one tries to be, this is absolute nonsense. Whether it's what we used to call "petting" or "going all the way," people of conscience cannot ignore the inescapable ethical implications of such conduct—implications that go well beyond social taboos and religious views about chastity and fidelity.
The reality is, few human actions have a greater potential to affect others' lives than sex. The ethical issues involved in unwanted pregnancy and the possibility of spreading or contracting diseases are too large and obvious for anyone to deny. Yet there's an even greater danger that casual sex will cause one or both parties severe emotional distress, especially if it's accompanied by dishonest, disrespectful, disloyal, exploitive, irresponsible, cruel, or callous behavior.
Despite pseudo-sophisticated denials, only shallow and self-absorbed people can engage in sex without putting their own or others' feelings at risk. Even with good intentions, reputations can be injured, self-image can be lowered, expectations about healthy stable relations can be altered, and intense feelings of rejection, betrayal, inadequacy, and jealousy can be generated.
Given the range of physical, emotional, social, and spiritual consequences of sex, people of character take it seriously. They think beyond the moment and care about the person they're with. They're kind, and above all, responsible.
-character counts
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