1. Unit 3: Abstinence, Personal & Sexual Health
Lesson 9: Abstinence: What’s in it for Me?

2. Healthy Behavior Outcomes
Be sexually abstinent.

3. Bell Ringer Journal Entry on page 69
How do you think the choices a person makes about sex can affect his or her sexual health?

4. Sexual Abstinence
Sexual Abstinence – choosing to not engage in any sexual activity that can result in pregnancy or a sexually transmitted disease (STD).

5. Abstinent_______________________________________Sexually Active

6. Why Might a teen choose abstinence?
May not be ready for sex
Avoid negative consequences of sexual activity
Have other priorities that don’t include dating or being sexually active
May not feel sexually attracted to anyone
May have values or beliefs that guide their choices

7. Does a person have the right to choose not to have sex? Why or Why not?
Participating in sexual behaviors should always be a matter of choice.
No one has the right to pressure or force someone else to have sex.

8. Why might a teen choose to be sexually active?
They think it’s what other teens are doing
Someone pressured them into it
A way of fitting in
A way to rebel or assert independence
Under the influence of alcohol or other drugs

9. Benefits of Abstinence
Write a list of the benefits or positive things teens get from being abstinent.

10. Barriers to Abstinence
What are some of the things that could get in the way of being abstinent?

11. Appropriate ways to express attraction
What are some safe and appropriate ways teens can express attraction to someone and remain abstinent?

12. Close
If you had a friend who wanted to be abstinent, what would you say to support him or her?