Abstinence
Abstinence. Many teens and young adults would
hear this term and dismiss it for a joke. I mean, who has
really heard about abstinence? According to the curriculums
of many health classes across America, I would assume that
nearly all teens have, but if one were to take a look at the
numbers on teen pregnancy, that person may be inclined to
believe that some students may have slept in health class
when abstinence was mentioned. To many this information seems
like no big deal, but in reality, it is a huge deal when we
realize that along with pregnancy, youth are catching and
passing disease or even dying in some cases, from sexual activity.
Abstinence is the act of abstaining from oral sex, sexual
intercourse, or any other sexual activity. There are several
important points to be brought about that may incline one
to at least consider the practice of abstinence before marriage.
One major point of abstinence is the prevention of pregnancy.
Today teen pregnancy is a real, yet unsettling thought. If
you ask the majority of teen parents if they knew the consequences
of sexual activity before marriage, you may hear "I never
thought it would happen to me" or similar responses.
This IS the most incorrect way of thinking possible in regard
to teen sex and pregnancy. It should be taught and dwelt upon
that, if you have sex at all, you are at risk for pregnancy,
teens and adults alike. A teen parent is prematurely thrown
into the world of an adult, not to mention the fact that they
waste what are supposed to be the best years of their lives,
confined to raising and caring for a child.
Today, there are countless sexually transmitted diseases (STD's)
that result from oral sex and sexual intercourse. One could
easily find it disheartening to know that teens no older than
13 or 14 years of age are beginning to catch these diseases
that not only jeopardize health, but life itself. Herpes,
AIDS, HIV, syphilis, and gonorrhea are only a few of the STD's
that are producing startling percentages among sexually active
teens. STD's, deadly or moderate, can be passed on to any
given person who is sexually active. Like pregnancy, the only
way to surely prevent disease is through abstinence. At this
point, abstinence may sound like a good way to go, and it
is. There is one last point to be mentioned before you stop
reading and start thinking about how abstinence can benefit
your life.
Relationships. Everyone eventually has them with one person
or another and many hope to develop lasting relationships,
which brings forward another major point in favor of practicing
abstinence. Through many faiths and teachings dating back
to ancient times, we can conclude that sex once was (and still
is) meant to be a sacred gesture of love between a married
man and woman. However, today's society, mainly through advertising
and TV programming, has completely destroyed that sacred doctrine
by glorifying casual sex and attacking the foundation of abstinence
and celibacy. Although glorified on TV, casual sex in reality
can complicate relationships and crush any love and affection
that they were built upon. Premarital sex, especially between
teens, can ultimately leave one or both partners emotionally
wounded and questioning, "Is there anything left after
this." The answer to this question may be a negative
one, but like pregnancy and disease, it can be avoided by
abstinence.
By now, it should be understood that one can't completely
deny the potential consequences of premarital sex or the benefits
of abstinence until marriage. At last, if you are still doubtful
or indecisive about which path you will choose in regard to
sex, this final inquiry is left for your consideration, "Is
premarital sex really worth it?"
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