As a parent, you are naturally concerned about your daughter getting pregnant. A daughter is concerned about that and also the risk of acquiring a sexually-transmitted disease. For some, the answer lies not in conventional birth control but abstaining from sexual activity altogether.
Abstinence is saying no to sex until you are ready. Over the years, there has been a debate amongst parents, their children and medical professionals as to how effective the abstinence message can be.
With the high incidence of teen pregnancy, condoms were available in health clinics. Some parents thought their teens were being encouraged to have sex as a result of this availability.
Medical professionals wanted to keep them safe from pregnancy and things that were much worse, and could not understand what all the fuss was about.
As a man or a woman, teen or adult, sexual activity carries with it some risks. A person with multiple partners increases their risk of pregnancy and sexually-transmitted diseases with each new contact, even with protection. There is also the reality that even if you are being faithful, your partner may not be.
The only foolproof method of birth control and avoiding STDs is abstinence. But, is it a choice that is still possible?
The answer is yes, of course. Abstinence will be a part of various stages of a person’s life and is a conscious choice.
(Continued in Part 2)
