The Pressure in On

It's not easy for young people to abstain from sexual activity...especially when there are pressures from many different areas. Take a moment to look at the pressures listed below, and see how they may impact your decision to be abstinent.

Hormones - Hormones are naturally going to increase your curiosity about the opposite sex. This is normal! What matters is that you are dealing with this increased curiosity by using self-control and making positive choices.

Media - Some people say "sex sells", and it is being sold everywhere! It's in the movies and TV that you watch, the music that you listen to, and even in the chat rooms and on the web sites that you visit. The common theme being sold is that sex before marriage, is normal, fun, expected, and has no consequences. If this were true, we would have no STD's, unplanned pregnancies, and broken hearts.

Peers - You gotta have friends...but you don't need friends that are pressuring you to make choices that you are not ready to make. Sometimes the fear of rejection from friends and not fitting in has led them to make a choice that they later regret. A real friend accepts you no matter what.

Drugs & Alcohol - There is a lot of pressure for young people to experiment with drugs and alcohol. Some people think that this will make someone more mature, social, or fun. In reality, it leads to impaired judgment and poor decision making. Being under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol makes you more vulnerable to unwanted sexual encounters.

Relationships - Who doesn't love to be in love? But don't confuse love with lust. Many teenagers get caught in the intensity of a relationship, and may use sex to gain attention and acceptance from their partner. Being sexually active outside of marriage can lead to damaged relationships. Imagine planning your wedding day with your future husband or wife and having to answer the question "You slept with how many people?"