Overview | Abstinence Defined | FAQ's from Educators | Fees for Truth4Youth | How Can I Bring Truth4Youth to My School / Youth Organization? | New T4Y Products! For the Classroom! For Parents! For Teens! | What will students learn in a Truth4Youth program?
What exactly IS Abstinence Education?
Abstinence education is a health strategy that encourages teens to practice abstinence until marriage. Abstinence programs like Truth4Youth challenge students to consider the future. They teach important skills, like goal-setting and decision-making, as well as how to build healthy relationships. Abstinence programs teach how choices affect the future and the benefits of remaining abstinent until marriage. They also discuss the potential consequences of sexual activity before marriage, including pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and emotional pain.
What will kids learn in a Truth4Youth program?
Truth4Youth teaches kids far more than just how to "say no". It challenges young people to think about themselves, to recognize that they have inestimable worth. They are challenged to dream about the future and they learn how responsible behavior can help them achieve their goals. Other areas for student growth include:
- Goals: Making a game plan for your life
- Media: Who are you listening to?
- Why boundaries matter
- The risks and consequences of sex before marriage
- New decisions: Starting over
- The importance of choosing your friends
- Marriage as the expected standard
Abstinence Defined
As defined by the Welfare Reform Act in Title V, all abstinence education programs must comply with the following guidelines: Abstinence education is defined as an educational or motivational program which:"(A) has as its exclusive purpose, teaching the social, psychological, and health gains to be realized by abstaining from sexual activity;
"(B) teaches abstinence from sexual activity outside marriage as the expected standard for all school age children;
"(C) teaches that abstinence from sexual activity is the only certain way to avoid out-of-wedlock pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and other associated health problems;
"(D) teaches that a mutually faithful monogamous relationship in the context of marriage is the expected standard of human sexual activity;
"(E) teaches that sexual activity outside of the context of marriage is likely to have harmful psychological and physical effects;
"(F) teaches that bearing children out-of-wedlock is likely to have harmful consequences for the child, the child's parents, and society;
"(G) teaches young people how to reject sexual advances and how alcohol and drug use increases vulnerability to sexual advances; and
"(H) teaches the importance of attaining self-sufficiency before engaging in sexual activity."
13 Themes for Abstinence Education:
B1. Abstinence from sexual activity is the expected standard for all school-age children
B2. teaches a "return to abstinence" (secondary virginity) - that teens who have engaged in sexual activity may abstain from further non-marital sexual activity
C1. Abstinence is the only certain way to avoid out-of-wedlock pregnancy
C2. Abstinence is the only certain way to avoid the sexual transmission of STDs and related health problems.
D1. Expected standard for sexual activity is within the context of a mutually monogamous marriage relationship between a man & a woman.
D2. Human Sexuality includes deep emotional and psychological aspects - not merely physical.
E1. There are harmful psychological effects of sexual activity outside the context of marriage.
E2. Teen sexual activity may have harmful effects in addition to those previously mentioned - intellectually & financially - and are more likely to engage in other risk behaviors.
F1. Sexual activity may result in non-marital pregnancy. Abstinence can increase the potential to form healthy marriages that will benefit their future children.
F2. There are potential beneficial effects of marriage to the well-being of adults and society. Bearing children out of wedlock is likely to have harmful consequences for the child's parents and society as a whole.
G1. Stresses the importance in goal setting and future-oriented thinking as a means of promoting sexual abstinence. Stresses the importance of personal character in deciding to remain sexually abstinent. There is value in building & maintaining healthy relationships that are free from sexual involvement.
G2. There are techniques and skills to help young people reject sexual advances and maintain the expected standard of abstinence.
G3. The use of drugs or alcohol can increase one's vulnerability to sexual advances. There are skills for avoiding high-risk situations where sexual activity is more likely.
How Can I Bring Truth4Youth to My School / Youth Organization?
Truth4Youth programs are being held all across the Midwest. All Truth4Youth programs are custom-created to match your school's specific preferences. One-time assemblies, week-long programs, one-night events, teacher training inservices, and more are all possibilities. To speak with a Truth4Youth coordinator about the many options available to meet your school's needs, call 605 275 6291 or log on to http://www.truth4youth.com/ today.
My Organization's Budget is Already Tight - How Much Does Truth4Youth Charge?
Because the message is so important, Truth4Youth provides all of its programming for FREE of charge at this time! So spend your money on books and give your teachers a raise, because Truth4Youth understands how hard you work to stay on budget.
Current survey(s):
