How To Teach Abstinence Until Marriage To Teens
- Remember that teens are more impressed that you REALLY CARE about them than about how many statistics you spout off. Presentations and training should not "scare" adolescents. Usually that approach only irritates them and they often perceive it as a "dare". Simply tell them you have come to let them know some of the medical realities because you were so surprised when you found out, and you feel they have a right to know the medical facts, too.
- Teens really enjoy learning about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs); however, if anything, understate the information – never exaggerate! Just give them the actual, medical facts, explaining that they may not hear this information from the media because a lot of people (pharmaceutical companies, condom manufacturers, abortion providers, etc.) make a lot of money if they (the teens) stay misinformed. Also, many groups believe that teens are not capable of controlling their sexual urges; but you DO believe in them and you KNOW they CAN control themselves because they are smart people! If you have time to talk about how to build strong and healthy relationships, this is a topic which really grabs their attention as well.
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Believe in Yourself – that you CAN talk to teens and preteens about abstinence; and Believe in our Teens that they will truly listen and take to heart the exciting message of chastity and abstinence, to preserve them from danger and help them reach their dreams!
Some Basic Principles:
- Humans are not just physical, but also emotional, intellectual, spiritual/moral (code of conduct, innermost being), and social.
- Explicit imagery and language is harmful and unnecessary.
- Our children don’t want or need anatomy or "how-to" lessons. They want to know how to find true life-long emotional intimacy, not just physical mechanics. They yearn to know how to build strong, healthy, life-long relationships; they want to know the difference between infatuation, lust, and love.
- Explain why they should do more than "wait" – they should wait for marriage! Marriage provides for the safe expression of that true, trusting intimacy they seek.
- Sex is an adult responsibility – it takes maturity of the whole person: emotionally, morally, intellectually, social, as well as physically.
- Encourage our young people to set HIGH STANDARDS and to stretch inside themselves to reach them. Encourage them to…
Be an ‘A Generation’ teen!!!
‘A’ is for Abstinence
"Weigh the Facts about Teen Sex"
"Ride the Abstinence Wave. It’s a Lifesaver!"
"Don’t Take the Bait…Just Wait!!"
"Lines " are for Telephone Poles, Not For You!
"Regret is the punishment
for those who never made real choices"
Be sure to point out to students as you discuss various diseases that IF THEY ARE NOT HAVING SEX (or using needles) THEY DON’T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THESE DISEASES!!
Once students understand the very real dangers of these diseases and that ANY ONE can get them, we believe they are intelligent enough to make the healthy decision to abstain from all sexual activities until they are married in ord
er to protect themselves, their futures, their future spouses and their children…
Also, if at all possible, provide some time for questions and discussion. Teens love to talk about relationships, and they also ask about a number of misconceptions (e.g. they don’t think a girl can get pregnant "the first time", and they think condoms make sex "safe").
Discussions help them to see how much you really care and want them to think.
Stress that you believe in them, that you know they are smart and can make good decisions IF they have all the facts.
The Best Things in Life Are Worth Waiting for…
They can’t make good decisions if they don’t have all the facts, right? That’s why you are there – to provide them with the medical facts they may not get anywhere else so they WILL have ALL the facts.
Our Kids are WAITING to Hear from YOU! Talk to Them Today!