Is sex before marriage wrong?

In India ,sex before marriage is strongly frowned upon, especially for women. My mom is extremely against it, and society often treats it as something immoral or “bad.”

I’ve already had sex with my boyfriend. It was consensual, safe, and something I chose consciously. I respect my body, I don’t seek validation or attention, and I don’t see sex as some huge or reckless act, I see it as intimacy, similar to kissing, hugging, or sharing closeness with someone you care about.

Personally, I feel at peace with my choice. The doubt only creeps in when people say things like:

“Your future husband will expect you to be a virgin”

“Sex before marriage makes a woman bad”

“What if he leaves you or doesn’t marry you?”

That’s where I get confused. If I made a choice that felt right to me at the time, with someone I cared about, does it become wrong just because the relationship might not last? Does sex only become “acceptable” if it leads to marriage?

I believe life is short and unpredictable, and that people should be allowed to make choices that feel true to them without being boxed in by society or culture. At the same time, I do live in this society, and the guilt and judgment are real.

I’m genuinely trying to understand:

Is sex before marriage actually immoral, or is this mostly about controlling women’s choices?

Should a woman’s worth really depend on her sexual history?

How do people reconcile personal values with societal expectations?

Looking for thoughtful perspectives, not judgment.