Never before marriage? A qualitative research on married- working women

Abstract The societal perception of engaging in sexual activity prior to marriage is widely considered inappropriate in various cultures. Despite a growing tolerance over time, premarital sexual encounters generally carry negative connotations. In Turkey, premarital sexual activity is regarded as a topic that is considered taboo within society. Additionally, differing perspectives between gender.s are prevalent on this issue. Consequently, the aim of this study is to examine how married working women perceive the experience of sexuality before marriage. This study employed a phenomenological approach within the framework of qualitative research methodologies. Conducted in January 2024, it involved 12 married working women who volunteered to participate and reside in Turkey. Data obtained from semi-structured interviews with these women underwent meticulous analysis using content analysis. The findings reveal that a substantial majority of married working women, specifically 75%, do not consider premarital sexual experiences to be appropriate. Moreover, 83% of the participants perceive that such experiences could have a negative impact on marriage. The participants indicated a preference against engaging in premarital sexual experiences, as they believe such actions are inconsistent with their religious and moral values. Additionally, the data suggest that a significant portion of their families (83%) and the sociocultural environment (67%) generally hold a negative perspective regarding premarital sexual experiences. These outcomes were subsequently deliberated within the framework of pertinent literature, resulting in the proposal of several recommendations.