Marriage

====Extra-marital sex====
{{See also|Chastity|Adultery}}
[[File:Jan Brueghel the Elder-Christus und die Ehebrecherin-AP.JPG|thumb|''[[Jesus and the woman taken in adultery|Christ and the woman taken in adultery]]'' by [[Jan Brueghel the Elder]], [[Pinakothek]]]]
[[File:Magdalen-asylum.jpg|upright=1.35|thumb|[[Magdalene laundries]] were institutions that existed from the 18th to the late 20th centuries, throughout Europe and North America, where "fallen women", including [[single mother|unmarried mothers]], were detained. Photo: Magdalene laundry in [[Ireland]], ca. early 20th century.<ref>Figure 9, Frances Finnegan, ''Do Penance or Perish'', Congrave Press, 2001.</ref>]]

Different societies demonstrate variable tolerance of extramarital sex. The Standard Cross-Cultural Sample describes the occurrence of extramarital sex by gender in over 50 pre-industrial cultures.<ref name="Divale, 2000">{{cite book |last=Divale |first=W. |date=2000 |title=Pre-Coded Variables for the Standard Cross-Cultural Sample, Volume I and II |location=Jamaica, New York |publisher=York College, CUNY |url=http://worldcultures.org/SCCS1.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217131745/http://worldcultures.org/SCCS1.pdf |archive-date=17 December 2008 |quote=See Variable 170 and Variable 171}}</ref><ref name="Murdock, White,1969">{{cite journal |doi=10.2307/3772907 |last1=Murdock |first1=G.P. |last2=White |first2=D.R. |title=Standard cross-cultural sample |journal=Ethnology |volume=8 |issue=4 |pages=329–69 |year=1969 |jstor=3772907 }}</ref> The occurrence of extramarital sex by men is described as "universal" in 6 cultures, "moderate" in 29 cultures, "occasional" in 6 cultures, and "uncommon" in 10 cultures. The occurrence of extramarital sex by women is described as "universal" in 6 cultures, "moderate" in 23 cultures, "occasional" in 9 cultures, and "uncommon" in 15 cultures. Three studies using nationally representative samples in the United States found that between 10 and 15% of women and 20–25% of men engage in extramarital sex.<ref name="Clements,1994">{{cite news |author=Clements, M. |title=Sex in America today: A new national survey reveals how our attitudes are changing |publisher=Parade Magazine |pages=4–6 |date=7 August 1994 }}</ref><ref name="Laumann, Gagnon, Michael, Michaels,1994">{{cite book |last1=Laumann |first1=E.O. |last2=Gagnon |first2=J.H. |last3=Michael |first3=R.T. |last4=Michaels |first4=S. |date=1994 |title=The social organization of sexuality: Sexual practices in the United States |location=Chicago |publisher=University of Chicago Press}}</ref><ref name="Wiederman,1997">{{cite journal |doi=10.1080/00224499709551881 |author=Wiederman, M.W. |title=Extramarital sex: Prevalence and correlates in a national survey |journal=Journal of Sex Research |volume=34 |pages=167–74 |year=1997 |issue=2 }}</ref>

Many of the world's major religions look with disfavor on [[sexual intercourse|sexual relations]] outside marriage.<ref>{{cite web|author=Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance|date=31 December 2006|url=http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_sex.htm|title=Human sexuality and gender topics: Subjects of major concern to many faith groups|publisher=Religioustolerance.org}}</ref> In some non-[[Secularity|secular]] Islamic countries, there are criminal penalties for [[fornication|sexual intercourse before marriage]].<ref name="Kury Redo Shea 2016 p. 652">{{cite book | last1=Kury | first1=H. | last2=Redo | first2=S. | last3=Shea | first3=E. | title=Women and Children as Victims and Offenders: Background, Prevention, Reintegration: Suggestions for Succeeding Generations (Volume 1) | publisher=Springer International Publishing | issue=v. 1 | year=2016 | isbn=978-3-319-08398-8 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wpBPDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA652 | access-date=2024-01-08 | page=652}}</ref> Sexual relations by a married person with someone other than his/her spouse is known as [[adultery]]. Adultery is considered in many jurisdictions to be a crime and [[grounds for divorce]].

In some countries, such as Saudi Arabia, Pakistan,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eyeontheun.org/voices.asp?p=632 |title=Human Rights Voices – Pakistan, August 21, 2008 |publisher=Eyeontheun.org  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130121175822/http://www.eyeontheun.org/voices.asp?p=632 |archive-date=21 January 2013 }}</ref> Afghanistan,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aidsportal.org/news_details.aspx?ID=4236 |title=Home |publisher=AIDSPortal  |archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20081026065259/http://www.aidsportal.org/news_details.aspx?ID=4236 |archive-date=26 October 2008 }}</ref><ref name="travel.state.gov">{{cite web|url=https://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1142.html |title=Iran |publisher=Travel.state.gov  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801084310/http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1142.html |archive-date=1 August 2013 }}</ref> Iran,<ref name="travel.state.gov"/> Kuwait,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/0/2f5665ae20b956cb8025675a0033cafb?Opendocument |title=Treaty Bodies Database – Document – Summary Record – Kuwait |publisher=United Nations Human Rights |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151031125832/http://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/0/2f5665ae20b956cb8025675a0033cafb?Opendocument |archive-date= Oct 31, 2015 }}</ref> Maldives,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.everyculture.com/Ja-Ma/Maldives.html |title=Culture of Maldives – history, people, clothing, women, beliefs, food, customs, family, social |publisher=World Culture Encyclopedia }}</ref> Morocco,<ref>{{cite news|last=Fakim |first=Nora |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19049000 |title= Morocco: Should pre-marital sex be legal? |publisher=BBC News |date=9 August 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604075418/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19049000 |archive-date= Jun 4, 2023 }}</ref> Oman,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interpol.com/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/csaOman.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807023017/http://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/csaOman.pdf |archive-date=Aug 7, 2011 |title=Legislation of Interpol member states on sexual offences against children – Oman |publisher=Interpol }}</ref> Mauritania,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2010/af/154358.htm |title=2010 Human Rights Report: Mauritania |publisher=U.S. State Department |date=8 April 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604004917/https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2010/af/154358.htm |archive-date= Jun 4, 2023 }}</ref> United Arab Emirates,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dubaifaqs.com/education-dubai.php |title=Education in Dubai |publisher=Dubai FAQs |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230828020342/https://www.dubaifaqs.com/education-dubai.php |archive-date= Aug 28, 2023  }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Judd |first1=Terri |first2=Nikolina |last2=Sajn |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/briton-faces-jail-for-sex-on-dubai-beach-863918.html |title=Briton faces jail for sex on Dubai beach – Middle East – World |work=The Independent |date=10 July 2008 |location=London |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531154322/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/briton-faces-jail-for-sex-on-dubai-beach-863918.html |archive-date= May 31, 2023 }}</ref> Sudan,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2007/06/28/idUSL28849488._CH_.2400 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121209050025/http://www.reuters.com/article/2007/06/28/idUSL28849488._CH_.2400  |archive-date=9 December 2012 |title=Sudan must rewrite rape laws to protect victims |work=Reuters |date=28 June 2007 }}</ref> Yemen,<ref>{{cite web|author=United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees |url=http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/47387b712f.html/ |title=Refworld &#124; Women's Rights in the Middle East and North Africa – Yemen |publisher=UNHCR }}</ref> any form of sexual activity outside marriage is illegal.

In some parts of the world, women and girls accused of having sexual relations outside marriage are at risk of becoming victims of [[honor killing]]s committed by their families.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/honourcrimes/crimesofhonour_1.shtml Ethics – Honour crimes]. BBC. Retrieved on 5 September 2013.</ref><ref>Pandey, Geeta. (16 June 2010) "[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10334529  Indian community torn apart by 'honour killings']". BBC News. Retrieved on 5 September 2013.</ref> In 2011 several people were sentenced to death by [[stoning]] after being accused of adultery in Iran, Somalia, Afghanistan, Sudan, Mali and Pakistan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/25/iran-stoning-woman-adultery_n_1169429.html |title=Iran Stoning: Woman To Be Executed For Adultery |website=HuffPost World |access-date=5 September 2013 |author1=Ali Akbar Dareini |date=Dec 25, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120624054510/http://www.huffingtonpost.com:80/2011/12/25/iran-stoning-woman-adultery_n_1169429.html |archive-date= Jun 24, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8366197.stm |title=Somali woman stoned for adultery |work=BBC News |date=18 November 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404013126/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8366197.stm |archive-date= Apr 4, 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author1=Tait, Robert  |author2=Hoseiny, Noushin  |name-list-style=amp |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/jul/21/iran.humanrights |title=Eight women and a man face stoning in Iran for adultery |work= The Guardian |date= 21 July 2008|location=London |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404051247/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/jul/21/iran.humanrights |archive-date= Apr 4, 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url-status=dead |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,479752,00.html |title=Two Men Stoned to Death for Adultery in Iran |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130527200840/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,479752,00.html |archive-date=27 May 2013 |website=Fox News |date=13 January 2009 |access-date=5 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-10983494 | work=BBC News | title=Taliban 'kill adulterous Afghan couple' | date=16 August 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230729064841/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-10983494 |archive-date= Jul 29, 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rawa.org/temp/runews/2011/01/27/woman-stoned-to-death-in-north-afghanistan.html |title=Woman stoned to death in north Afghanistan |website=RAWA News |access-date=5 September 2013 |date=January 27, 2011 |first1=Quentin |last1=Sommerville }}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/may/31/sudanese-woman-stoning-death-adultery | location=London | work=The Guardian | first=David | last=Smith | title=Sudanese woman sentenced to stoning death over adultery claims | date=31 May 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814130241/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/may/31/sudanese-woman-stoning-death-adultery |archive-date= Aug 14, 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hoije |first=Katarina |date=2012-08-02 |title=Islamists: Two stoned to death for committing adultery in Mali |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2012/08/02/world/africa/mali-couple-stoned/index.html |website=CNN |language=en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230924042456/https://edition.cnn.com/2012/08/02/world/africa/mali-couple-stoned/index.html |archive-date= Sep 24, 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Shah |first=Saeed |date=2010-07-18 |title=Pakistani couple face death by stoning threat after conviction for adultery |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/jul/18/couple-sentenced-pakistan |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230530062444/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/jul/18/couple-sentenced-pakistan |archive-date= May 30, 2023 }}</ref> Practices such as honor killings and stoning continue to be supported by mainstream politicians and other officials in some countries. In [[Pakistan]], after the 2008 [[Honour killing in Pakistan|Balochistan honour killings]] in which five women were killed by tribesmen of the [[Umrani|Umrani Tribe]] of [[Balochistan, Pakistan|Balochistan]], Pakistani Federal Minister for Postal Services [[Israr Ullah Zehri]] defended the practice; he said:<ref name="times">{{cite news |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article4678530.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716093713/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article4678530.ece |archive-date=2011-07-16 |url-status=unfit |title=Three teenagers buried alive in 'honour killings' |newspaper=[[The Times]] |location=London |first=Zahid |last=Hussain |author-link=Zahid Hussain (journalist) |date=5 September 2008 |url-access=subscription}}{{cbignore}}</ref> "These are centuries-old traditions, and I will continue to defend them. Only those who indulge in immoral acts should be afraid."<ref name="telegraph">{{cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/2660881/Pakistani-women-buried-alive-for-choosing-husbands.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/2660881/Pakistani-women-buried-alive-for-choosing-husbands.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Pakistani women buried alive 'for choosing husbands'|work=Telegraph | location=London | date=1 September 2008}}{{cbignore}}</ref>