Hindu views

Hindus believe that kama (sensual pleasure) is one of the four purusharthas (aims of life). Sex is considered a good thing which is to be enjoyed as one of the duties of married life, particularly in the desire to produce sons. However, self-control is an important aspect of Hindu teaching, so sexual intercourse has to take place between married couples only.

Before marriage young people should be in the brahmacharya (the first stage of life) when they should be concentrating on learning the sacred scriptures and observing their religious duties. Sex would be a distraction.

Meeting the opposite sex

Hindu parents do not usually allow their children any contact with the opposite sex except for close relatives. This continues until the children are of an age to be married. In India many Hindu girls are married while they are teenagers to make sure that they do not have any sexual contact before marriage. Adultery [Adultery: Sexual intercourse between a married person and another person who is not their spouse. ] is unacceptable.

There is no mention of homosexuality [Homosexuality: Sexual or romantic attachment between two people of the same gender. ] in Hindu scriptures. Men and women are believed to have a religious duty to be married and produce children so same-sex relationships are regarded as unacceptable. In practice people simply ignore homosexuality.

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