Why should I choose abstinence?

If this is a question you're asking, here are a few things to think about.

How well does abstinence work?

Abstinence is the only 100% guaranteed way to prevent pregnancy. And, considering that 1 out of every 10 teenage girls becomes pregnant each year, abstinence becomes even more attractive to ensure you will not get pregnant.

Pregnancy cannot be ignored, and, if you become pregnant, whatever choice you make regarding it willl have a permanent effect on your life. In most cases, it is the woman who is left bearing all the consequences and responsibilities.

Think about your goals, plans, and dreams. Does caring for a child for the next 18 years fit into your life plans?

Abstinence prevents STDs

By choosing full abstinence, you are also protecting yourself from getting any sexually transmitted diseases. In America today, 1 out of every 5 people are infected with a viral STD. Be aware that some STDs spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact without any actual sexual intercourse, so it is important to have full abstinence to minimize your chances of getting any STDs.

Additional things to think about

There are other benefits to choosing abstinence in addition to the physical benefits:

Having sex before marriage provides no assurance of security, love, or commitment from the other person. Many times it might be these three exact things which you are looking for. A secure marriage will provide these and will also assure you that this is the right person for more than just one night.

Premarital sex can also bring future guilt and regret. Think about how hard it would be to tell your husband that you had not saved your virginity until marriage while he was saving himself for you.

Abstinence is not saying to give up sex forever, but to wait until marriage. Think about how much more enjoyable things are when you wait for them. Don't just throw away your virginity on anyone who passes by--save it for the one you'll commit to spending your life with.