Gendered Views on Premarital Sex in Morocco

As I searched online for differences in gender and sexuality in Morocco, I came across a fascinating study about the views toward premarital sex in Morocco and its stance as a taboo topic (Bermime & Benzidan, 2022). I knew that homosexuality was a taboo topic and generally unaccepted in Morocco because of Islamic religious beliefs surrounding the practice. However, the academic article suggests pre-marital sex is prohibited by both Islam and the law in Morocco. Differing views about pre-marital sex exist between men and women. In the survey, they found that women were more likely to not answer questions about pre-marital sex and share their views because they were afraid of the views society would have concerning them. Women were less supportive and tolerant of pre-marital sex than men.

However, the survey revealed women did not necessarily have more traditional values toward pre-marital sex but were less likely to express them openly for fear society would reject them, leading to things such as resorting to prostitution. Morocco actually has a higher prostitution rate than other traditionally Islamic countries. Additionally, many women admitted to engaging in pre-marital sex but would not say with whom, indicating possible non-consensual experiences. The discussions also highlighted that women expected to marry men with sexual experiences, but men expected to marry virgins. Then the article talked about the imbalance of power that this created in the culture between men and women.

While the United States is in a culture war about sexuality, the legality of premarital sex is no longer an issue and widely accepted across culture, even within widely Christian belief systems. However, it does make me think of my last post on the tensions between people of Islamic faith and the French. In France, secularism is embraced and many people have lifelong partners, have children, and own houses together without being married - to an extent that it might cause questions in some of the most open-minded Americans. I wonder if this vast differences in cultures and values influences the existing tensions between France and Morocco, especially considering the colonial history? Social identity tensions must be high between the two groups based on stark differences in belief systems.

Finally, "failing to recognize a social identity important to people ignores a part of them they feel is critical to who they are" (Essed, 2010, p. 139). Sexuality is part of a social identity but is addressed many different ways depending on culture and rooted in different belief systems. In different cultures, one can feel shame toward their views on sexuality and fear the social consequences of those views. I think this is an interesting topic to navigate as we think about how to function in different societies while navigating our own values and being culturally intelligent.

References

Bermime, Y., & Benzidan, M. (2022). Premarital Sexuality and Gender in Morocco. International Journal of Social Science Research and Review, 5(9), 401–412. https://doi.org/10.47814/ijssrr.v5i9.498 

 Essed, P. (2010). Social justice and dignity. In Hannum, K., McFeeters, B. B., & Booysen, L. (Eds.). Leading across differences: Cases and perspectives (pp. 95-114). Pfeiffer.