Abstinence

2009-01-06T19:32:02Z

Bethsc:

[[Image:Beads MFA Boston.jpg|right|thumb|128px|Abstinence beads.]]
The word '''abstinence''' means refraining from indulging in an appetite.

Abstinence doesn't always work - poor virgin Mary tried it, but got pregnant anyway. So little girls, go screw your boyfriends all you like, because sex is fun. Use condoms, practise safe sex. Don't let sexually frustrated conservatives tell you what you can or cannot do with the organs God gave you. SEX ROCKS, suckers!!!

In the 1800s and 1900s, the word "abstinence," used without other explanation, almost always meant abstinence from [[drinking|alcohol]]. The "abstinence movement," for example, led to the establishment of [[prohibition]]. ''[[Teetotaler]]'' meant someone who advocated "total abstinence," rather than just moderation.

Starting in about the 1990s, "abstinence" has been more commonly used in the context of abstinence from sexual intercourse, particularly in the United States in the context of [[sex education]] for adolescents. Thus, for example, we read in a 2002 [[White House]] policy statement:
:..."the goal of Federal policy should be to emphasize abstinence as the only certain way to avoid both unintended pregnancies and STDs."<ref>[http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/02/welfare-book-06.html WORKING TOWARD INDEPENDENCE] Encourage Abstinence and Prevent Teen Pregnancy, White House News and Policies, February 2002</ref>

Studies of the effectiveness of [[abstinence education]] programs have yielded differing conclusions. A 2004 study by the [[conservative]] [[Heritage Foundation]] found that [[virginity pledge]]s significantly reduce premarital sex without putting backsliders at risk.<ref> Teens Who Make Virginity Pledges Have Substantially Improved Life Outcomes
by Robert E. Rector, Kirk A. Johnson, Ph.D., and Jennifer A. Marshall
Center for Data Analysis Report #04-07 [http://www.heritage.org/Research/Abstinence/cda04-07.cfm] </ref> A study funded by the Administration of [[liberal]] President [[Bill Clinton]] through Mathematica Policy Research found that "the programs had no effect on the sexual abstinence of youth."<ref>[http://www.mathematica-mpr.com/abstinencereport.asp Impacts of Four Abstinence Education Programs]</ref> But this study reached this [[liberal]] conclusion by omitting abstinence education during the pivotal high school years and by only following 4 elementary and middle school programs out of 700 total schools that had received funding.<ref>http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=WU07D09</ref>

[[Liberals]] oppose abstinence policies and [[Planned Parenthood]], a powerful liberal organization, profits from teenage sexual activity. Yet the facts are undisputed: abstinent teens never get infected with STDs or become pregnant from having sex.

===Benefits of Abstinence===
* Clear conscience with [[God]] through the absence of [[sin]].

* Peace of mind in one's life, future relationships, and marriage.

* More self-respect, respect for others, and respected from other people.

* Respect precedes love in a healthy relationship, while premarital sex throws away self-respect and the respect of the partner.

* Entering marriage with a more positive outlook and without emotional baggage.

* Personal freedom for both (future) marriage partners.

* Significantly better chance of a satisfying and stable marriage.

* Longer lasting relationship. Premarital sex breaks up more dating couples than any other factor.

* No sexual comparisons in marriage. The covenant of marriage entails "being free to enjoy maximum sex, maximum leisure, maximum satisfaction, and maximum liberty, in the way God intended."

* No worries about pregnancy.

* No worries about [[Sexually Transmitted Diseases]].

* No worries about bad reputation.

* Persons and couples who have premarital sex are more likely to have affairs and commit [[adultery]].<ref>http://www.ejhs.org/volume10/AZFchap1.htm</ref>

* Premarital sex often fools a person into marrying someone who really is not right for them.

* No fears of rejection and reliance on another's mercy to keep the relationship going. More "experienced" individuals are generally less desirable and less respected as dating or marriage partners.

* There is a 98 percent chance that couples who meet in high school will not marry, so it is always better to maintain [[purity]] for the right person, the future wife or husband. <ref>[http://www.premaritalsex.info/ Sexual Purity]</ref>

==See Also==
*[[Previous Breaking News/Abstinence|Articles about '''Abstinence''' from previous "Breaking News"]]
*[[Sexual purity]]
*[[Purity ring]]

== External links ==
*[http://www.teen-aid.org/ Abstinence is saying yes to the rest of your life]
*[http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=25922 HHS study reveals flaws in sex education]
*[http://www.worldwidegroovecorp.com/abstinence/benefits.html Benefits of abstinence]
*[http://www.house.gov/hensarling/rsc/doc/HC_061306_TitleXvs.AbstinenceFunding.doc Title X vs. Abstinence Funding], Republican Study Committee, April 2006
*[http://www.parentsfortruth.org/ Parents for Truth] is a national campaign of concerned parents who are committed to protecting their children’s health and future through abstinence education.
*[http://www.abstinenceassociation.org/ National Abstinence Education Association] The NAEA exists to serve, support and represent individuals and organizations in the practice of abstinence education.

==Notes and references==
{{reflist}}

[[category:education]]
[[Category:Contraception]]

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Abstinence