What's in a Kiss?

What’s in a kiss?

That’s the question Amy and Leon Kass posed in their commentary on Erasmus’ colloquy on courtship in their edited book Wing to Wing, Oar to Oar (a great resource for readings on courting, love, and marriage).

The Anscombe Society at Princeton used this reading recently as part of a discussion series on dating. The question is a simple one without a very simple answer.

Most young adults committed to abstinence understand the big picture (it’s healthiest and most fulfilling to wait until marriage to have sex), but are lost when it comes to the details. “How far is too far?” they ask. Books have been written answering this question. But perhaps a better way of answering it is to rephrase the question: “What’s in a kiss?”

Now, this isn’t the type of question a young woman committed to chastity can answer by going out and conducting field research! So, what I offer below is an honest look at human biology and emotions, as well as a summary of the advice given by abstinence advocates (see, for example here).

From my perspective, a kiss communicates a message: either a message of affection for the other, or gratification for oneself. What do I mean by “gratification for oneself”? Often, when kissing occurs outside of a committed relationship between two people who mutually care about each other, people kiss simply for the fun of it. They kiss because of the personal enjoyment they get out of it (self-gratification), rather than to convey any sense of real and lasting affection. This is not to say that enjoying a kiss is bad. Indeed, a man and woman in a relationship who kiss out of genuine and mutual affection for one another inevitably enjoy it and appropriately so. The problem is when the primary purpose of the kiss is for personal pleasure or satisfaction. Because of the more self-centered nature of such kissing, those who engage in it are not being fair to themselves, their partners, or their future spouses. Any type of behavior that generates a habitual attitude of detachment and self-centeredness is never healthy for a relationship. 

Rather, kissing is meant to be a sign of affection that naturally and honestly manifests the nature of the relationship. For example, truly affectionate kisses between an unmarried man and woman in a committed relationship would be loving, selfless, and simple. These kisses can also exist between a married man and woman, but the intimate nature of their relationship would also make it appropriate for their kisses to express a greater intimacy.  (Similarly, sex is only appropriate within marriage because it communicates a level of intimacy and union that is only honestly present within a marital relationship.)

Consider passionate kissing. Passionate kissing by definition arouses the man and woman; otherwise, it would not be “passionate.” Now, what is arousal but the body's preparation for sex? Two people committed to chastity should avoid making kissing an "activity," because passionate kissing easily escalates and arouses. The couple then finds themselves in a confusing and difficult position of saying no to sex when their bodies are physically preparing for it. 

Now, some of you may be thinking: “Give me a break! You mean abstinent people should avoid making out too? Isn’t waiting to have sex enough to ask?” That’s exactly what I mean. Ask yourself this: If you value sexual intimacy so much you want to save sex for marriage, doesn’t it only make sense to value sexual intimacy in this way too? If passionate kissing initiates that intimacy, then surely it is only good and fitting to save passionate kissing for when you can follow through on the sexual feelings and intimacy it arouses – namely, to save it for marriage.

Speaking more practically, why would you want to put yourself through the torture of saying “no,” when your body is saying, “let’s go!”? Better to avoid the situation altogether by keeping kisses simple: affectionate but not passionate. Nobody is saying this is easy.  But if sex and sexual intimacy are important to you, don’t you want to protect yourself and that special someone from a difficult and tempting situation, rather than bring each other to the edge of a cliff only to hope you don't both fall over? I know I do. Ironically, it’s actually the more loving thing to do.

Now maybe this all still sounds incredibly radical to some of you. But  I think “what’s in a kiss” is a very powerful thing.

Comments

[Elzabet]

As a formerly married/newly single woman, this was an excellent piece of advice. I'm committed to remaining chaste until God brings someone for me ((if He does)) but it had never occurred to me to think of how "mere" kissing may play into that determination.

Thank you!

[Emily]

Excellent post! As a chastity educator, these are the same principles I try to convey to students. It's difficult, however, when young people don't think that sex is a big deal to communicate that kissing has great meaning as well. Of course, that doesn't mean we should stop trying to share this message. In fact, we need to try all the harder! Keep up the great work.

[Paul Cat]

Whenever I received the question "How far is too far?", I always ask them what it is that they are really asking. Usually it boils down to "Can I use the other person?" or "When do I stop loving and start using?"

But I do like rephrasing the question to "What's in a kiss?"

[Anna]

I would have to agree with most of this post. I waited to have sex AND waited to kiss until I was married...(okay fine, we had a practice peck the day before to reherse for the cermony kiss). I think it was totally worth it and although at the time it was hard, I think it almost was easier in a way to stop the ball from rolling at all, instead of starting to roll it down hill and then trying to stop it.
We have been married 6 years and had two kids and things seem to be working out okay. My mom would always say that we had the rest of our lives to make out so waiting an extra couple months wouldn't seem like anything looking back. once again i must say my mother was right.

[Erin P]

Cassy,

In such a fast-paced world where we're constantly being overstimulated (images on TV, music, internet), we're constantly consuming (devouring!) what's around us...and I think that includes intimacy. We just can't get enough affection and comfort from our relationships (in a physical way) when we're filled with material comforts on demand. We're an "on demand" society, no?

You pose such a great question! While my husband and I early on in our dating made prayer part of our relationship and agreed to saving sex for marriage, we definitely struggled with passionate kissing.

So from prior "field" experience I can tell you, just as your linked article, says, making out leads to great frustration (and guilt)! Arousal is inevitable and fixating. It becomes a great physical and spiritual struggle. The important thing is not to give up trying to rectify what leads you astray...with God's help and knowing your LCD (least common denominator for arousal as a couple) and respecting the other person enough not to go there. Because you understand in your heart how hard it is for them from that point on.

Fr. Benedict Groeschel has written a new book, The Virtue Driven Life - check it out. "The virtuous person tends toward the good with all his sensory and spiritual powers; he pursues the good and chooses it in concrete actions" (Catholic Catechism, 1768). He talks about how teenagers now aren't even exposed to Virtue - that vocabulary doesn't exist- and that discussion needs to be revived.

You know, it is "heroic self-sacrifice" to save sex for marriage in today's culture. It's funny though -- because saving sex for marriage is what's deeply in line with how we're made in the first place when you know sex is never just about you alone. Kisses aren't either:)

[Anna]

This is one of the most simple and sensible explanations I've ever heard of the topic.

[Ranee]

My husband and I lead our church youth group, and this is something we've talked about with them. The human body doesn't have a stop button, just a go button. The reality is that God intends us to go, and not have to stop, and that is part of why He teaches to wait until marriage.

Also, even things like kisses with other people seem like a waste to us now. It was one fewer thing we had to give to the other person. It's not like we believe we were in serious sin, or that we dwell on it now, or let it bog down our relationship, but looking back on it, it seems so pointless.

[Laura]

“Kissing has been prostituted and has been degenerated to develop lust instead of affection, honor, and admiration. To kiss in casual dating is asking for trouble."--President Spencer W. Kimball, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

There are endless debates among my age group in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints about "how far can you go?" Clearly, our leaders have told us that passionate kissing before marriage is wrong. Sadly, many of my peers see nothing wrong with making out "because it's fun".

I have never had a boyfriend. I haven't had my first kiss yet. And I am saving my first kiss for the one I truly love and who truly loves me. And I am not having my first make-out session until I'm married; I think it'll be more satisfying that way ;)

Some people think I'm being overly romantic, but I don't care. My goal is to be married in the Temple, so I can be with my husband forever. In order to attain that goal, I plan to keep myself morally clean.

And by the way, my mom is the only girl my dad has ever kissed.

[anita]

There are kisses for cheeks, lips, bruised knees, cousins, aunts, uncles, parents, and also boyfriends. Not all kisses are passionate, not all kisses are passionless. Not wanting to marry a man with a passionless kiss is reasonable, so I am not inclined to embrace extremes or extremists.

[H]

Hello,
I liked your post, too. What worries me sometimes is that I don't know where to find a guy who would commit to this idea as well. Some of the couples I know who are waiting do engage in a lot of foreplay, so I don't have a reference point couple to look towards as proof that it can work. I also live in New York City, where this kind of courtship may not be as common. Sometimes it gets a little daunting thinking about finding Mr. Right when he seems like such a needle in a haystack! Does anyone have any suggestions about fishing in the right pond or at least broaching the topics of kissing, chastity, etc. with the average guy? Thanks!

[yiayiarocks]

H,

You're right, finding the right guy out there is really tough! And since modesty and religion go hand in hand, I suggest you find a local church to meet guys. No matter what your personal beliefs are, finding friends and guys who share your beliefs is a great start in finding Mr. Right.

[Tessa]

I couldn't agree more with this article. If someone wants to save sex for marriage, they need to stop doing sexy things before marriage.

[Annika]

This is an interesting question, and one I had only considered abstractly until recently when I started dating/courting for the first time. In the abstract, when there was no actual person involved, it was easy for me to say no kissing, at all, ever. It was legalistic, and not terribly realistic.

Now that there's an actual person in the picture, I've attempted to find some balance between affection and passion. For me and my boyfriend, this means no lip-kissing. Kisses on the hand, cheek, forehead and hair are able to communicate affection and don't lead us to go any further.

I, of course, am lucky that I have a man who's happy to go along with the boudaries I have set for myself. It was a really tough topic to bring up, especially since it needed to be discussed very early in the relationship, before I felt entirely comfortable with bringing it up. In the long run, I opted for the coward's route and sent him an e-mail that said how much I cared about him, but defining my boundaries and why they are so important to me. Happily, he e-mailed back that he was glad I had thought about it ahead of time, and that I had told him, and that he would never want to do anything to make me uncomfortable or jeopardize our relationship by being overly physical. It was terrifying to me to bring it up, but I felt much more secure afterward, knowing that we were both on the same page.

As for where to look for guys who are willing to discuss modesty and chastity, and who love to protect these traits where they find them, I have to recommend churches and community activities. If you get involved in things you love and care about (without ulterior motives) you will find other likeminded people who will certainly be great friends, and maybe even Mr. Right!

[CharityGrace]

My husband and I saved our first kiss for the altar. No regrets!

[Emily]

H, I'm told you can find ANYTHING in New York and I'm sure you will if you look :o)

[anita]

I think that this "no kissing" trend is extreme. While it is important to define your boundaries up front, it may also be important to learn a little bit about self control while you are dating.

...and I just had this thought, which may seem strange...hookers don't kiss on the lips because it's too personal. Maybe, I just think that dating is personal enough to merit real kissing.

[spudmom]

The advice I give my children is not to do anything they wouldn't feel comfortable doing in front of either us (parents) or the other person's parents. Imagining a scowling father's eyes boring into you cools the fire considerably.

[Erin P]

H,

I used to live right outside NYC and spent a lot of time in the city, ahem, how should I say? Searching for Mr. Right...who ended up being in Boston. But that's another story. Are you Catholic? Either way, I may have some specific resources for you if you email me. Hope you get this!

[Grace Leigh]

Thank you for such a sensible, well-written post. Kissing may not be as intimate as sex, but it can and should be an act that conveys love, trust, and commitment just the same.

H, I am a single woman living in New York City as well, so I can certainly understand your frustration. Continue to pursue the activities that interest and are important to you, and you will most likely wind up meeting someone when you least expect it!

[Morpheus]

My friends (specifically, my male compadres) always hassle me because I haven't kissed my girlfriend (nor do I/we plan to until/if/when the marriage altar enters the equation), and they always ask me, "what's the big deal? a kiss doesn't mean anything!" now I can tell them why it's a big deal and what a kiss really means! thank you for writing this!

[Christopher]

Unlike what the song says, a kiss just isn't a kiss. Its a symbol that can convey a much deeper meaning.

If I am ever blessed to find a godly handmaiden, I have no intentions of committing any acts that would lead toward impurity of mind or body.

As H said, however, where does one find such a person? St. John Chrysostom said that one should seek a young women with the traits of modesty, piety, and godliness. These things are increasingly rare today.

[Melissa D. sC]

Dear H.
One thing to remember is to pray to God that He brings the right man you desire across your path. You will not find the right man if you are doing the searching. The right men are in NYC and everywhere else....if you are seeking a man with the same yoke and belief's as yourself, you should be socializing with them in the same arena's....church an church youth, young adult groups. If your church does not have a young adult group or people your age, search for another church that does.

In the church that I go to right now there is a couple that has been dating for almost a whole year. No kissing, they don't hold hands.....it is wonderful to watch and we hope to hear there will be a wedding in the coming year. These are two of the most devoted people to Christ, they believe and hold true to the words about staying pure in mind and body.
My prayers are with you.
God Bless~~

[Mary Catherine]

I decided a few months ago that as long as I'm unmarried, plain kisses with no tongue involved are going to be it for me. As soon as there's tongue, it's way too easy to get too excited. Chaste kisses are beautiful ways of showing your affection, and make life a lot easier when you want to be secure in your expressions of affection without having to worry about whether you're going to have to go sit on opposite sides of the room to cool down.

Somebody mentioned not wanting to marry someone with a passionless kiss. Let me put the question this way: do you want to marry someone who only knows how to show his passion one way? There are so many ways to show how much you love someone, but it's so easy to forget about all those ways except one. Dating is an important time to find all the other ways to show your affection (giving flowers, writing sappy notes, going out on surprise adventures) before you start having sex and forget about everything except physical passion.

[Mary]

I liked the article. Actually I took this approach when I had a boyfriend, but my mother advised me otherwise so I took her advice... wish I hadn't...

I thought Annika's comment was sensible too, about a kiss on the cheek, hair, hand or forehead being sufficient to communicate affection.

[Dr. Paleo Ph.D.]

Hello!

My name is Spencer. I found this via LAF. Fantastic post; amazing all the way through. I agree with everything you said!

Spencer