[hojutok]

What constitutes "illicit" or "improper" sex is relative to one's culture and social mores.

Personally, I have doubts about such an open interpretation.

I acknowledge the core definition of sexual misconduct is to refrain from sex where it can harm an existing relationship, that is, sex with a married person, a betrothed person, a person still living in the care of their parents, a person living in the care of an institution, etc.

However, today's society is different from the Buddha's society and, at least for the purpose of protecting the well-being of oneself & others, my personally view is the definition of sexual misconduct needs to be guided by being sensitive to the general Dhamma principles of "non-harming".

For example, in the Sigalovada Sutta, the Buddha taught one duty of a parent towards their children was to help arrange or support a suitable marriage. The Buddha also taught in the Sigalovada Sutta a husband & wife should be faithful to one another.

Therefore, both in the Buddha's society and especially for a layfollower of the Buddha, the scope left for sex outside of marriage was quite narrow.

Kind regards