Teen abstinence - what are the benefits? There are many benefits of teen abstinence, 100% protection against teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases are the two biggest. There is no other method of safe sex that can boast these statistics. Of course, one must keep in mind that sexually transmitted diseases (STD) can be transmitted through oral sex, so teen abstinence only from sexual intercourse cannot prevent all STDs. In this Teen Abstinence - What are the Benefits? article we will take a look at why more and more teens are choosing teen abstinence.
Teen abstinence, simply put, means that a teen does not engage in sexual activity, including oral sex. What teens are finding is that in addition to protecting them from STDs and unplanned teen pregnancies, there are many other health, social, and emotional benefits of choosing teen abstinence. It is interesting that teen abstinence statistics show that more than half of high school age teens participate in teen abstinence. It seems as though sex is everywhere and that "everyone is doing it" but statistics show that it isn't really the case. In fact, 73% of teens reportedly say that they do not think it is embarrassing for a teen to be a virgin and of the teens that are not virgins, 67% report that they wish they had waited until they were older to participate in sexual activity.
If for no other reason than to prevent teen pregnancy and STDs, teen abstinence is a smart choice. But let's consider a few other reasons why teen abstinence may be a good choice. In addition to being physical, sex is also very emotional. Teens that participate in sexual activity are putting their heart on the line. When one engages in any type of sexual activity both parties are opening themselves up to a whole new range of inexperienced, powerful emotions. Because sex can involve such intensely gratify and euphoric emotions, the opposite is also true, sex can result in some very powerful feelings of anger, depression, and loneliness. When you think about how many boyfriends/girlfriends a teen goes through in high school, and all the heartache that is associated with these relationships without adding sex into the mix, you can just imagine how much more devastating these relationships can be when they involve sex.
Whatever your choices are in regard to sexual activity, make sure you learn about sex. The more you know the more prepared you are to handle whatever situations arise. Understanding sexually transmitted diseases and sexually transmitted infections (STI) and how they are spread is the only way that one is going to be adequately prepared to prevent them. Choosing teen abstinence is a guaranteed way to avoid them, but at some point you will be ready to participate in sexual activities and will want to be sure that at when that time comes you are prepared for it and know how to protect yourself. The same is true when it comes to pregnancy, the more you understand about getting pregnant and birth control options, the more prepared you will be to handle each situation as it arises. Keep in mind that birth control pills are very effective but not 100% effective and they do not protect against STDs or STIs.
