ADVOCATES FOR YOUTH

Abstinence

Abstinence is the only 100 percent effective method for avoiding unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Teens—especially young teens—should be encouraged to delay sexual initiation. Educators should acknowledge the importance of abstinence and provide youth with the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to make abstinence work. However, even youth who pledge to remain abstinent need information about contraception and condoms to help them prevent unintended pregnancy, HIV and other STIs when they do become sexually active.

For Educators

• Teaching Abstinence as a Part of Comprehensive Sex Education: What Is Abstinence?

For Parents

• Can We Talk about Abstinence and Contraception OR Is It a Mixed Message?

For Youth

• Choosing Abstinence
• The Circle: A story of one young person’s decision to remain abstinent
• Communicating with Your Partner
• Safer Sex: Get the Facts

Advocates' Publications on Abstinence:

• UPDATED! Adolescent Protective Behaviors: Abstinence and Contraceptive Use (The Facts) [html] [pdf]
• Adolescent Sexual Behavior. I: Demographics (The Facts) [html] [pdf]
• Adolescent Sexual Behavior. II: Socio-Psychological Factors (The Facts) [html] [pdf]
• Trends in Sexual Risk Behaviors among High School Students—United States, 1991 to 1997 and 1999 to 2003 (The Facts) [html] [pdf]

Related Topics:

• Abstinence-Only-Until Marriage Programs
• Adolescent Sexual Behavior
• Comprehensive Sex Education
• Contraceptives