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Abstinence
The only 100% effective way to avoid having a baby is to not have sex. Abstinence is the most effective method of birth control and many teens choose this option. For some, this means not having sex until they're married. For others, it can mean different things, like waiting until they've found a committed partner who they feel comfortable with.
Lots of people are practicing abstinence these days, whether or not they've had intercourse in the past. Half of high school students have never had sexual
intercourse. In fact, the majority of teenagers, even those who started having sex when they were younger, think teens should wait until they're older.
When it comes to sex, you need to decide what's best for you personally -- don't feel pressured into having sex just because others are. It's important to feel that you're ready before you start having sex.
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Facts About Abstinence
- NOT everybody is doing it. Less than half of teens reported having ever had sex as of 2005.
- Teens do not think it is embarrassing to say they are virgins. Almost three-quarters of teens don't think it's embarrassing to admit being a virgin.
- Most teens who have had sex wish they had waited. Almost 70% of teens regret having had sex as early as they did.
- Teens are eager for a strong abstinence message. Ninety-four percent of teens say they want a strong message to abstain until at least after high school.
- Teen males' approval of premarital sex is declining. Guys are less and less accepting of casual sex - the proportion of adolescent males aged 17-19 who approve of premarital sex when a couple does not plan to marry decreased from 80% in 1988 to 71% in 1995.
- College freshmen are less likely to approve of casual sex. 60% of college freshmen disagree that hooking up with a casual acquaintance is okay.
Additional Information
The following is a brief list of abstinence websites which will offer you more detailed information and statistics as well as options for getting involved in the abstinence movement. Stay Teen neither works with nor necessarily endorses any of the messages or information on this list.
Something to add? Tell us! Send us an email and tell us your thoughts on sex, love, relationships, and waiting.
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