Why Teach Abstinence?
As members of a state Advisory Committee of the Abstinence Education Block Grant, we were involved in reading and picking those grant proposals throughout the state which would receive funding. Only about one-third of them were accepted due to funding restraints. What of the other two-thirds? How can we encourage them, and so many other local groups and individuals, to provide abstinence training to their teens even without grant monies? Isn't there something we can do??
This concern has remained on our hearts and in our minds, and so this summary has been put together. We want to provide you who read this with…
THE KEY to the abstinence message: HOPE…
- Hope for a better tomorrow
- Hope in a culture of life
IF you truly care about our young people & believe in their ability to live the abstinence message, and IF you are willing to speak to them about it, you are 90% of the way there.You really don't need scads of money and materials, videos and books. They are the "whipped cream" on your bowl of strawberries: they're nice to have, but you can enjoy the harvest without them!
The most important component to achieving the abstinent lifestyle in our teens is to let them know your values & to begin talking to them early and continue consistently…
…As Parents / Guardians
…As Teachers
…As Pastors/Youth Directors