Abstinence Education
- Abstinence definition:
In reference to sexual activity: Abstinence is choosing to save all sexual activity for marriage. “Sexual activity” includes any type of genital contact or sexual stimulation. Abstinence is the only sure way to protect your body, mind, and heart from the various consequences of premarital sexual activity. Abstinence is the safest, healthiest, lifestyle and one of the best ways to prepare for a healthy future marriage. - Abstinence vs. Sex-Ed:
There are two distinct approaches to teaching sex-education in public schools around the country. These two approaches are commonly referred to as “Abstinence Education” (AE) and “Comprehensive Sex Education” (CSE). These two fundamentally different approaches can be described simply as follows: - Abstinence Education: Teaches students that reserving all sexual activity and child bearing for a marriage relationship is the safest, healthiest choice. Abstinence programs between abstinence as risk-elimination, and contraception as potential risk-reduction. Students are encouraged to develop critical thinking skills to appreciate the superior benefits of abstinence outside of marriage as the optimal health outcome for their future.
- Comprehensive Sex Education: Teaches students that contraception is the most realistic way to attempt to avoid pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Emphasis is placed on instructing teens in the acquisition and usage of an array of contraceptive products. Distinctions between risk-avoidance and risk-reduction are uncommon in CSE programs, and abstinence-until-marriage not typically presented as a valid option.
- The purpose of abstinence education is more than merely helping teens to avoid pregnancy and disease, but rather to help students learn the benefits of self-control, character, and respect that will serve them well in all of their social and academic endeavors.
- 4 in 5 sexually active teen girls (80%) do not become pregnant each year.
- 3 in 4 sexually active teens (75%) do not contract a sexually transmitted disease each year.
- Rather than focusing on the avoidance of negative consequences:
- A&M abstinence programs help teens develop a positive future orientation and to prepare for a healthy future marriage and family.
- A&M abstinence programs do not seek to discourage teens by over-emphasizing the negative consequences of sexual activity outside of marriage, but rather to encourage teens to pursue their dreams for academic achievement, and future marriage and family.
- A&M abstinence programs are positive and encouraging especially for sexually active youth. The safest, healthiest message for sexually active teens is to choose save all sexually activity for marriage regardless of previous experience.
- A&M abstinence programs take into account the fact that not all sexually active teens chose to be sexually active. It is especially true for younger sexually active teens that they were forced or pressured into sexual activity. These teens need hope and encouragement – not lessons on contraceptive use.