Pre 20th century, how common was it for women to have sex before marriage? | AskHistorians Archive Observer

Pre 20th century, how common was it for women to have sex before marriage?

by AlternativeQueen

I know it was important for women to marry as virgins. But there are so many shows/books where women have sex before marriage. Was it an unspoken truth that most women did?

mimicofmodes

There's always more to be said, but you might be interested in my previous answers:

I've read that it was incredibly normal for brides to be pregnant in the 18th century, but in Pride and Prejudice a couple's implied sexual contact prior to their marriage is a huge scandal. Is this indicative of a moral class divide, or were 18th century values just not representative of reality?
What did guys do to express interest in women before telephones became widespread in the 1900s?
Did Flappers use birth control?

ETA: Whoops, /u/AlternativeQueen, I also meant to include Teenage love in the Victorian era, which speaks exactly to your question!