Premarital sex is a highly controversial issue in society. Traditionally, premarital sex was considered bad and immoral. However, since the "sexual revolution" of the 1960s, society has become more tolerant and accepting of premarital sex. Many factors contributed to this cultural shift. Religious groups have historically been important fighters against sex outside of marriage. Religion once had a much stronger influence on the morals accepted by society, but in recent years religious belief seems to have faded and society has begun to establish its own morals. Additionally, contraceptives have become much more advanced and available than they were in the early 20th century. Premarital sex now carries fewer dangers and consequences. Finally, modern pop culture often seems to promote sex outside of marriage, including sex between teenagers. Magazines, television, music and movies highlight and embellish promiscuity. Modern America is much more accepting of premarital sex than were Americans in the early 20th century due to declining religious influence, advances in contraceptive technology, and pop culture. In the early 1900s, premarital sex was much less common than in modern society. The culture of that era valued virginal wives and condemned adolescents who had premarital sex. In fact, “social ostracism awaited young girls who did not wait for marriage” (Messe). However, social isolation was one of the lesser consequences that some believed could happen to someone participating in premarital sex. Exceptionally religious families and institutions believed that sexual relations outside of marriage were a heinous sin and that such an offense could be punished with eternal damnation. Moreover, before “the pill” was... middle of paper ......4. Gale biography in context. Internet. May 3, 2014. Greenwood, Jeremy and Nezih, Guner. “Social change: the sexual revolution. » ND TS 4. University of Pennsylvania. International Economic Review, November 2010. Web. April 23, 2014. Sundburg, Walter. Religious Trends in 20th-Century America. 2000. T.S. Luther Seminary, St. Paul. Wordandworld.org. Internet. May 3, 2014. Garcia, Justin R., Chris Reiber, Sean G. Massey, and Ann M. Merriwether. “Sex culture.” http://www.apa.org. Np, February 2013. Web. May 3, 2014.Jayson, Sharon. “Most Americans have had sex before marriage, study finds.” Usatoday.com. USA TODAY, December 19, 2006. Web. May 9, 2014. Mastroianni, Luigi, Jr., Peter J. Donaldson and Thomas T. Kane. “Contraceptive Development – ​​Obstacles and Opportunities – NEJM.” New England Journal of Medicine. The New England Journal of Medicine, February 15, 1990. Web. May 10 2014.