My latest research (in Dutch with English abstract) shows that data from a great variety of fields, not including religion and Theology, suggest that giving up virginity without marriage has negative correlations psychologically, economically and for society at large. Many scholars are convinced these links are causative.
Contribution: This article contributes to the theological reflection on the appropriateness of sexual intercourse before marriage when ultimately a lifelong marriage commitment (with each other or a different partner) is regarded as a long-term goal in life. This contribution derives its conclusions not from the Bible, but uniquely restricts its arguments from the perspective of natural theology on the basis of the data that recent sociological research provides.