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PROGRAM CHARACTERISTICS THAT SHOW THE GREATEST PROMISE OF SUCCESS. A clear, directive focus, including basic accurate information about risks, and ways to avoid sexual activity. Goals, methods and materials are appropriate to the student population, providing active learning strategies.
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PROGRAM CHARACTERISTICS THAT SHOW THE GREATEST PROMISE OF SUCCESS • A clear, directive focus, including basic accurate information about risks, and ways to avoid sexual activity. • Goals, methods and materials are appropriate to the student population, providing active learning strategies. • The program is of sufficient length of time, taught by teachers who believe in the program. • Strategies are used that have been effective in reducing other risk-taking behavior in students (e.g. modeling and practicing refusal skills, addressing social pressures on sexual behavior). • Focus on setting and striving for long-range educational, career, and personal goals.
STRATEGIES FOR ENCOURAGING ABSTINENCE • Educate teens about media pressure -- how their values and future health are being manipulated for media profit • Provide classroom training and speakers throughout the year to promote risk elimination • Encourage high grades & future goals • Encourage teacher participation through in-service workshops
If a girl’s age at first intercourse was < 16 years old 16 years old 17 years old 18 years old 19 years old > 20 years old The number of lifetime partners was: only 1 partner >5 partners 11.3% 58.1% 18.6% 44.7% 17.3% 44.4% 26.0% 37.0% 37.6% 27.4% 52.2% 15.2% Vital and Health Statistics, 1997 The Medical Institute for Sexual Health AGE AT INITIATION OF SEXUAL ACTIVITY MAY INCREASE NUMBER OF SEXUAL PARTNERS
WHATTEENS SAY • Over 90% of 1000 teens polled believe that abstinence should be taught and urged by society. • 58% of teens felt that sexual activity is inappropriate for high school students. [The Indianapolis Star 5 May 2000 reported findings from National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy; from 6/2000 CPR News]
PROTECTIVE FACTORS IN STUDENTS’ LIVES THAT SHOW THE GREATEST INFLUENCE ON DELAYING SEXUAL ACTIVITY * • Family Factors • High levels of parent-family connectedness • Parental disapproval of their adolescent being sexually active • Parental disapproval of their adolescent using contraception • School Factors • School connectedness • Attending school with high average daily attendance • Some Individual Factors • Pledge to remain a virgin • Higher grade point average • * JAMA, 1997
real love eliminate risks honor integrity / wholeness peace of mind emotional health self-respect clear conscience freedom to accomplish your goals Clarity of mind better relationships better marriage good judgement in relationships maturity positive self-image reduced stress purposeful dating romance mystery ChastityTHE TOP 20 BENEFITS
Good character Self-control Loyalty Responsibility Commitment Honesty Self-Discipline Integrity Trust Respect CHARACTER-BASED ABSTINENCE UNTIL MARRIAGE EDUCATION PROMOTES...
What Students Wrote After participating in an abstinence-until-marriage program (WAITS) in their public schools, students had the opportunity to anonymously write their thoughts about abstinence and the classroom program. These students were taught using the Teen-Aid junior and senior high curricula; however, most students respond positively to any abstinence-only program.
What Students Wrote • When asked what students would add to the training, a typical response was “more time for the classes.” • [liked best] “That I can wait till I’m married to have sex.” • “I like knowing that people care about teenagers enough to encourage them to practice abstinence.”
What Students Wrote • “I think this was a great program! It was interesting. I can’t wait till somebody comes back!” • “Thank you for understanding what us girls are going through!… a Big THANKS!” • [high school male] “Well, I thought I knew it all about sex, but now I see that I don’t! It was awesome!”
What Students Wrote • “That you wanted to help us.”[7th girl] • “I liked this course; it explained sex to me a lot better than those ‘Teen People’ books.” • “This course was great.”
What Students Wrote • “I loved this course. I believe that it can really open eyes. Thank you for caring enough to show us.” • “Make the classes last longer than just 6 weeks. They flew by!” • “I’m feeling really very good!”
What Students Wrote • “I really enjoyed it! (In the start, I did not think I would) • “I think that this is a really good class to be in and we should try to get more people involved.” • “Y’all went over everything to help me abstain from sex! Thanks.”
What Students Wrote • “I would not change anything because this class is wonderful!” • “I liked the class the way it is, especially without the boys.”
What Students Wrote • Another 8th grade boy: “Make it longer [the course], because it went by too fast and we still have questions.” • “I would add that the program be all year!”[9th girl] • “I wish we would have this course more often.”[10th]
What Students Wrote “I would like for this class to be an everyday class so we’ll not go the wrong path.”
What Students Wrote • “It explains a lot of important issues that you need to think about before deciding to have sex.” [10th girl] • “Keep up the good work.” [10th girl] • “GREAT JOB!! Continue to come to classes and teach them about abstaining.” [10th girl]
What Students Wrote • “I liked everything about the course because students have a better understanding of what teen sex and outside of marriage sex can do to you.” • “It was a cool class.” • [boy] “I wouldn’t change anything because it taught me to abstain from sex, drugs, etc.”
What Students Wrote “I like knowing that people care about teenagers enough to encourage them to practice abstinence.” [10th grade girl]