Do Now! List the risks of being sexually active.

Chapter 19: Lesson 2 Benefits of Abstinence pg. 460

Key Terms: Abstinence: the conscious decision not to participate in sexual activity and the skills to support that decision. Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD): an infectious disease that is spread by sexual contact.

What is Abstinence? Avoiding All Sexual Contact: In broad terms, abstinence means the conscious decision not to participate in a behavior, and the skills to support that decision. When some people talk about abstinence, they are referring only to the avoidance of sexual intercourse. There are forms of sexual activity that don’t cause pregnancy but can cause a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Frequently these types of activities lead to sexual intercourse, which can result in pregnancy or infection with a STD.

Abstinence

Remaining Abstinent Until Marriage: For teens who have never been sexually active, abstinence means waiting until marriage to begin sexual activity. For teens who have already been sexually active, abstinence means making a decision to refrain from further sexual activity until marriage. Married individuals who are not sexually active before marriage don’t have to worry about STDs. Help you avoid being a single parent. A responsible relationship should include elements of emotional intimacy, trust, mutual respect, and love.

Three Rs for Remaining Abstinent: Respect for self Respect for others Responsibility for your own actions

Statistically Speaking… 27%-The percentage of high school students who have had sexual intercourse, but not in the past three months. 58%-The percentage of high school-age teens who said sexual activity is unacceptable for high school age teens. 25%-The percentage of sexually active teens who reported using alcohol or drugs the last time they were sexually active.

Health Benefits: By avoiding all sexual activities, an adolescent does not risk becoming pregnant or being infected with a STD. Some STDs can cause serious consequences, such as cancer and the inability to have children in future. Some case’s STDs can be fatal. The younger you are when you become sexually active, the more sexual partners you are likely to have over the course of your lifetime. Waiting until marriage will decrease the number of sexual partners you have in your lifetime and therefore will reduce risk of contracting a STD.

Emotional and Social Benefits of Abstinence: The freedom to pursue a variety of friendships. Less complicated relationships. Better relationships with parents and other trusted adults. Ability to focus on interpersonal aspects of relationships. Better reputation among peers. Being free from worry and stress about STDs and pregnancy. Allowing time to develop maturity needed to make important decisions. Staying true to your personal values, such as respect, honesty, and morality. Avoiding being manipulated by others.

Other Benefits of Abstinence: Being sexually active can prevent a young person from achieving his or her goals. Being sexually active may distract you from other things that are more important, such as pursuing your education so that you can get a college degree and get a good job.

Quiz!!

Questions: Why is engaging in sexual activity a high-risk behavior? Name two consequences of teen pregnancy. What is the term for: a conscious decision not to participate in sexual activity and the skills to support that action? What is the term for: an infectious disease that is spread by sexual contact?

Preventing Risky Behaviors Activity Each student will design a pamphlet that states the benefits to teens who remain sexually abstinent. The pamphlets should contain benefits such as not catching an STD and keeping a parent’s trust.