|
Development Topics
Talking to Tweens About Love, Sex and Relationships
Benefits of Abstinence
With so much divorce in the church today, can our children embrace God’s plan for faithful and permanent marriage as well as practice abstinence before marriage? The answer is yes. More than half of America’s youth — ages 12 to 18 — are abstinent today. They are proving it is possible to abstain.
What are the benefits of abstinence? I’ve seen high school students actually create a brochure highlighting the benefits. Here are a few:
- freedom from the stress of sexually transmitted diseases and unwed pregnancies
- freedom to pursue activities that better my life
- strength to say no to something temporary and yes later to something lasting
- freedom to love my future spouse without the pain and hindrance of former sexual memories
- freedom to focus on my future without becoming entangled in an exclusive relationship
- freedom to build different friendships that improve my life
- freedom to take good care of my spirit, soul and body
Sadly, far too many parents allow their children to date early and often, thinking it expands their horizons before marriage. Research shows that early dating more often leads to early sexual activity — a stress your adolescent does not need. Research also indicates that early sexual activity has disastrous emotional, physical and social consequences. A young person’s focus should be on creating stable, long-lasting relationships — not on early dating.
Social research shows that today’s youth want a strong marital relationship, but they are also afraid of conflict and commitment because of high divorce rates, leading to greater numbers of couples living together. Abstinence education that focuses on developing and maintaining stable relationships is the key.
Sexual abstinence frees young people from the spiritual, physical, social and emotional bondage that comes with premarital sex. Why not be free to pursue one’s dreams and goals for life? Abstinence fosters the ability to do just that.
— Amy Stephens
Last updated: May 2005
Do you have thoughts, questions, advice on this topic? Post your stories and comments in the forum for other parents to respond to. Enter the forum now.
|
 |
Preparing
for Adolescence
Help your child through the turbulent "growing pains"
years with the wisdom of Dr. Dobson. In this essential paperback, he speaks
directly and sincerely to adolescents about the topics that trouble them
the most.
|
|
