We live in a world where sex is now merely about lust and emotions (More young people get sexual infections, and Abuse, porn 'can push youth to early sex'; both published on June 18).

When sex is divorced from the security, commitment, communal support and procreational capacity found in the union of marriage, the family as the basic building block of society is weakened.

The impact of no-fault divorces on children cannot be under-estimated.

Without both parents working together for the common good of the family, we would raise a generation that is disillusioned with marriage.

It is no surprise that those who come from broken families or who suffered from abuse are more likely to have premarital sex.

Youngsters today question what they are being taught on sexuality. Abstinence before marriage seems to be an impossible option.

Movies, dramas, magazines, music and the arts teach them that having casual sex is a romantic experiment that has no consequences.

They are taught to arm themselves with condoms in case they want to have sexual experiments.

But condoms are not always a workable option when passions run high. They are also no guarantee against sexually transmitted diseases.

Our young deserve to be empowered with the knowledge and skills to say "no" to premarital sex.

To normalise teen sexual activity is to do a disservice to our young, who are not prepared for the consequences of premarital sex, such as abortion and children born out of wedlock.

The psychological damage of premarital sex can be a great obstacle to a healthy family life.

It is time parents and concerned adults step up and teach our young that sexual intimacy is not a validation of their self-worth.

Love waits, and so sex can be delayed until marriage.

Ho Lay Ping (Ms)