ABSTINENCE IS NOT AN OPTION...

Press Statement
9 June 2003

... it’s a must, especially with a pandemic of HIV/AIDS threatening to destroy millions of South Africans! With the press coverage being given to the Abstinence Walk, taking place between Durban and Empangeni (8-14 June), the question of abstinence is once again a hot issue. The radio program `PMlive”, on Safm Radio, has asked today whether abstinence is an option and whether it finds “resonance among teenagers.” The organisation `True Love Waits’ can certainly prove that abstinence is not for prudes but is increasingly popular among South African teenagers, over 326 000.

TLW has all these cards, each signed and addressed by teens who pledge abstinence until marriage.

When smoking began to be questioned some decades ago the response from the tobacco industry was filters which “guaranteed safety”. Slowly but surely the message got through that total abstinence from tobacco is the only message which children should be getting. In the same way, sexual promiscuity has now been clearly linked to STI’s such as AIDS and the answer must not be filters – condoms – it must be complete abstinence before marriage.

The message we young people are getting from adults is that we are more on the animal level; unable to control our hormonal instincts and urges. We feel insulted that there is such low regard for teens and other unmarried people. We are proud of our stand on abstinence and we salute all those who encourage us to be abstinent and faithful.

TLW is a non-governmental, inter-denominational, international organisation that encourages teens and unmarried people to say ‘no’ to sex until marriage. The response of the young people has been overwhelmingly positive - shooting down the argument that “young people do not accept abstinence”. TLW-ers have chosen to go this way, not made any easier by adults telling us we can’t control ourselves. We can be abstinent. And there are over 326 000 signatures in South Africa alone, to back us up.

For any further information, contact TLW on 083 799 9981 or visit our website: www.truelovewaits.org.za or email mail@truelovewaits.org.za.