Young people are placed under media and peer pressure to conform to society norms. They can often feel encouraged to be sexually active at an early age. Apart from the obvious risks of unplanned pregnancy and STIs there is the emotional side of any relationship to consider.

Two Views

There seems to be two groups of people who have two very conflicting views on sexual abstinence (not having sex). Some think that it is wrong to even talk about abstinence, thinking it is an unreal aspiration. They take a body of research that suggests that ‘abstinence only’ education can leave young people more at risk. This is because those that do become sexually active are ill prepared. Religious groups often say that religion teaches that you should only have sex within marriage. Therefore, there is no need to teach anything but abstinence. Maybe both need to have a look at how narrow their view is. If young people are to make intelligent, informed choices, they need all the information. This should include but not exclusively, the advantages of abstinence.

‘Abstinence only’ education in the States has been shown to put young people at higher risk of STIs and unplanned pregnancy when they do become sexually active. This is the primary reason President Obama removed state funding for such education programs. However, abstinence as part of truly comprehensive SRE, also has its advantages. Bearman (2001) made a study of some of the work done with abstinence pledges. His study showed that these pledges can mean young people are likely to start having sex at an older age.

Other protective factors against early teen sex were:

• Teens living in two-parent homes are less likely to have sex earlier than teens living in single-parent or step-parent homes.
• Perceived parental disapproval of sex has a strong delaying factor throughout adolescence.
• Teens who are more religious are more likely to delay sex.
• Academic achievement and sports participation (for girls only) have the strongest delay effect in early and middle adolescence.
• In late adolescence, girls with high self-esteem are less likely to engage in premarital sex than girls with low self-esteem.
• The more religious the teen and their family, the less likely they were to start having sex early.

It would seem that being a young person from a faith background could help you to resist pressures to become sexually active.

The London Borough of Newham may show an example of this theory in practice. This is because there are huge variants in the rates of teen pregnancy. In areas where there are fewer obviously religious people the teenage pregnancy rates are high e.g. Canning Town and Royal Docks. However, in areas where the religious affiliations of people are widespread and clear, the teen pregnancy rates are much lower, e.g. Green Street and parts of East Ham.

Abstinence is the most effective way to protect against STIs or unplanned pregnancy.

Choosing to not to have sex until you are married and then to stay mutually faithful within the marriage is not only a spiritual choice, it is also a healthy choice. Expect support from your faith community, SRE providers and any health services that you may come into contact with.

Beware of a few things though:

>Some couples don’t intend to have sex but do because they get carried away. If you think you are likely to have sex, be sensible enough to plan it. Talk about it, plan what contraceptive you are going to use and practise safer sex, by using a condom.

>Occasionally, young people think that only vaginal sex counts as ‘real sex’. Therefore, they might experiment with oral and anal sex. These can easily pass on STIs. Occasionally girls have become pregnant because semen can be transferred into the vagina with fingers. There are also added health risks with having anal sex, including easier transmission of STIs, also associated with haemorrhoids, anal prolapse, leakage, ano-rectal pain, ulcers and fissures.[i]