How to Help a Teen Choose Abstinence

Teens are under enormous peer pressure to try everything from experimenting with drugs to drinking alcohol to having sex before they're mature and ready. Helping teenagers to choose abstinence requires dedication, excellent communication and the willingness to share the importance of morals and values with them.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Help your teen to establish boundaries and make firm decisions. If she's already decided not to have sex before marriage well in advance of being pressured to do so by her boyfriend or her friends, she can then have an easier time refusing when the time comes to do so.

2. Discuss your beliefs about sex before marriage with your teen so he understands what morals and values are important to you. The more parents engage teens in discussions about sex and its consequences, the less likely teens are to have sex prematurely and casually.

3. Foster your teen's self-esteem at every opportunity. The healthier a teen's self-esteem and belief in his own importance as a person, the longer he delays having sexual intercourse.

4. Provide children positive messages about their bodies and their sexuality beginning at a young age. Let them know that they have the power to say who does and does not touch their bodies, and the ability to protect themselves from unwanted sexual advances.

5. Encourage your teen to adhere to the beliefs of your religion as a reason to choose abstinence. Religious institutions play an important part in sex education and in helping parents to talk with their teens about sex.

Tips & Warnings

• Ignorance about sex and its consequences is often what causes teens to engage in it. Talk openly about what can happen if your teen becomes sexually active, and provide factual information about pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

Who Can Help:

• Better than Botox®? Free Kit

Resources

• Visit the Not Me, Not Now website for teen abstinence resources.

[trenee169]

on 1/12/2009 When It comes to our kids, and if we really love them.....We better began falling to our knees...because if you tried everything else and you are absolutely exhausted..then began to pray for your child. If you don't believe in God...Then go ahead and allow your heart to broken a few million times first, because thats what it will take for you to try God. Just TRY HIM!