It is not widely popular, but many do use it as their primary birth control. Abstinence is refraining from intercourse by choice. It uses other kinds of play that do not lead to pregnancy. A more widely used term describes it as outer course. It can also be described as not having any sexual relation at all. Abstinence is used to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases by not allowing contact between sperm and a woman’s female reproductive organs.

When used on a constant basis abstinence is 100 percent safe and effective. It has no hormones, and is cost free.

You may have heard of abstinence only education, which is teaching abstinence to teens.

The benefits of abstinence include:

-Prevention of pregnancy

-Prevention of sexually transmitted disease

-To support religious, moral, or personal beliefs, values, or thoughts

-To heal from the death of a partner of breakup of a relationship

-To follow the advice of a physician

-To focus on career, school, sports, or other extra curricular activities or hobbies

Disadvantages of choosing abstinence are

-difficulty abstaining for long periods of time which could result in ending their abstinence without being prepared to prevent pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections


Two forms of sex education are currently taught in American schools, abstinence plus and abstinence only. Abstinence plus teaches abstinence being the best possible choice but also about contraception and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases when sexually active. Abstinence only teaches about waiting to have sex until your married and does not cover any of the forms of contraception or ways to avoid disease.

The United States Federal Government favors abstinence only teaching and reserves over a billion dollars to the programs. Over 25 states decline the funding, to teach the more comprehensive sex education.

Which program would you rather was taught to your own children? Do you have any opposition to schools giving sex education to your children? How early would you like to see it begin? Should both sides be federally funded? Join me in the forums to discuss these and any other pro choice issues.