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Abstinence
means different things, depending on the subject. For example:
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Abstaining from alcohol means you don't drink alcoholic beverages. If offered, you simply say no, or just walk away. |
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Abstaining from illegal drugs means you don't use them. It
also means that more than likely, you don't associate with those
who do. |
In the context of teenage pregnancy prevention, Abstinence means abstaining
from sexual relations until you are married. There are hundreds of
reasons for teens to abstain from sexual relations until after marriage.
Some of them are:
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Sexual relations before marriage goes against your value system |
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You believe you are not emotionally or physically ready |
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You want to maintain control of your body and not give in
to pressure to have sexual relations by someone else |
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You want to develop love, trust, and intimacy with your partner
which may lead to marriage. After marriage, sexual relations
will enhance these traits |
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You do not want to become pregnant. There is only one 100%
way to prevent pregnancy - that's abstinence |
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You do not want to get a Sexually
Transmitted Disease (STD), for example:
HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis,
Herpes, etc. |
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The Tooele County's Youth Education
Abstinence Project has reached over 200,000
teenagers with the abstinence message.The project provides discussions
and activities that promote the following:
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Self esteem |
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Decision making |
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Friendship, dating, relationships |
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Communication skills with parents, teachers, friends |
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| Refusal skills |
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Peer Pressure |
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Love |
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