Abstinence vs Promiscuity

By Jerusha Olsen

THE SEXUAL REVOLUTION

Before what has now become known as the ‘flower’ era of the 1960’s, abstinence before marriage was normal.

Before the sixties, there were only 3 known STDs. AIDS was unknown, and teenage pregnancies were rare.

However, toward the end of the fifties, and then the sixties, there was a change in morals. This change came about especially in the music industry with the likes of Elvis Presley and groups like the Beatles and Rolling Stones.
When people began to compromise with regards to their morals, when people tried to ‘get with the times’, morality went down the drains and the sexual revolution began.
The new thinking was:

Do what you want, when you want, where you want and with whomever you want.

Virginity and abstinence began to be looked down on as old fashioned. Sleeping around became normal to people. Our present generation is a product of the ‘Sexual Revolution’ generation. Unfortunately, to our generation, abstinence and virginity are almost unknown – and thus we have governments and youth organizations actually saying to young people that they cannot abstain from sex and should, therefore, use condoms.

Now, it has become necessary to educate the young people of today on abstinence before marriage.

WHAT IS ABSTINENCE?

Abstinence can be defined as refraining from all sexual activity, including intercourse, oral sex and mutual masturbation.

Abstinence is the only 100% effective means of preventing pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.

WHAT IS PROMISCUITY?

Promiscuity is indulging in sexual activity, including intercourse, oral sex and masturbation before marriage or in an adulterous relationship within marriage.

Promiscuity is a 100% effective means of ensuring pregnancies out of wedlock and the spreading of sexually transmitted diseases.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF ABSTINENCE?

- Freedom from pregnancy
- Freedom from sexually transmitted diseases
- Freedom from the side effects associated with contraceptives
- Freedom to explore true friendships
- Freedom to have a trusting relationship in marriage
- Freedom to plan your future and use your energy to establish your goals and dreams
- Freedom from pregnancy/abortion/adoption/premature parenting
- Freedom from guilt
- Freedom from a broken heart
- Freedom from feeling used
- Freedom to enjoy being a single young person
- Freedom to anticipate a joyous marriage
- Freedom from comparing your marriage partner to anyone
- Freedom to offer yourself as untouched, and having saved yourself for your one true love for the rest of your lives

WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES OF PROMISCUITY?

- The possibility of a pregnancy
- The guilt involved in a sexual relationship outside of marriage
- The feeling of being used as a sexual object
- The reality of contracting a sexually transmitted disease
- The loss of innocence
- The constant fear of not being good enough for your partner
- The greater heartbreak involved in breaking up with a sexual partner
- The selfish choices one makes when involved in a sexual relationship
- The hurt in being compared to a previous girlfriend/boyfriend

CONDOMS

Even if condoms were 100% safe (which they aren’t), they cannot protect the most important part of you:

YOUR HEART and YOUR MIND (guilt, heartbreak & memories)

WHERE DOES PROMISCUITY BEGIN?

Promiscuity begins in the mind with a thought. If the thought is entertained and nurtured, it grows into a deed.

The thought can be entertained by watching sexually provocative TV shows or movies; reading pornographic material or going to places and being with people who are sexually promiscuous.

Promiscuity also is prevalent in a relationship that has no boundaries.

HOW CAN I ABSTAIN?

Sign the True Love Waits pledge of abstinence

Have a trusted friend (who is also abstinent) or parent hold you accountable.

Make boundaries in your relationship, because all relationships grow. From hand-holding to kissing to petting and further…

Never test the limits of those boundaries – rather stay away from the ‘edge’ completely.

Put time and energy into building friendships and building up your skills – like a new hobby or sport.

Focus on your goals and dreams for the future. Invest in them – get a good education, learn the skills necessary.

Keep friends around you that support abstinence and that stay away from all high-risk behaviors.

Encourage others to remain abstinent. This way, when the temptation comes, the pressure of knowing that others know of your stand on abstinence might help deter you from giving in.

Never allow a sexual thought to take seed in your mind by indulging in any activity that you know makes it difficult for you to stay focused on abstinence until marriage.

NEVER ALLOW YOUR HORMONES TO DICTATE YOUR CHOICES – YOU HAVE A BRAIN FOR THAT VERY PURPOSE!!