Sexual abstinence is the practice of voluntarily refraining from some or all aspects of sexual activity. Common reasons to deliberately abstain from the physical expression of sexual desire include religious or philosophical reasons (e.g. chastity), material reasons (to prevent conception (undesired pregnancy) or STD transmission), psycho-sociological reasons (e.g. clinical depression, social anxiety disorder), negative past experiences, or to conform to legal injunctions. Sexual behavior is a form of physical intimacy that may be directed to reproduction (one possible goal of sexual intercourse) and/or to the enjoyment of activity involving sexual gratification. ... Allegory of chastity by Hans Memling. ... The term conception can refer to more than one meaning: Concept Fertilisation This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... A sexually transmitted disease (STD), a. ... On the Threshold of Eternity. ... Social anxiety, sometimes known as social phobia or social anxiety disorder (SAD), is a common form of anxiety disorder that causes sufferers to experience intense anxiety in some or all of the social interactions and public events of everyday life. ...

Sexual abstinence has been debated since antiquity, both in terms of same-sex and opposite-sex relationships. See Platonic love Platonic love in its modern popular sense is an affectionate relationship into which the sexual element does not enter, especially in cases where one might easily assume otherwise. ...

Premarital chastity

Main article: Chastity

Many religious and ethical systems proscribe sexual activities between a person and anyone other than a spouse of that person, including most denominational variations of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, as have, historically, many legal systems and societal norms. In such contexts, sexual abstinence was and is prescribed for unmarried individuals for the purpose of chastity. Chastity is sometimes used synonymously with sexual abstinence, but the mechanisms of chastity are typically largely different for persons who assume different societal roles. For example, in most cultural, ethical, and religious contexts, coitus within monogamous marriage is not considered to be opposed to chastity. Allegory of chastity by Hans Memling. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      Christianity is... For people named Islam, see Islam (name). ... Allegory of chastity by Hans Memling. ... A pair of lions copulating in the Maasai Mara, Kenya. ... Faithfulness redirects here. ... Matrimony redirects here. ...

Western attitudes

Historically, there has been a swing from the sexually free end of the Industrial Revolution to the chaste values of the early Victorian period. This was then followed by a new puritanism from the late Victorian era to the mid 1900s. This important transformation often colours discussion of sexual behaviour in the later 20th century period. The First World War began a return to sexual freedom and indulgence, but more often than not the appearance of conforming to the earlier moral values of abstinence before marriage was retained. With the conclusion of the Second World War, the societal importance of abstinence declined swiftly. The advent of the first oral contraceptive pill and widely available antibiotics suppressed many consequences of wide and free sexual behaviour, while social mores were also changing. By the 1970s, abandonment of premarital chastity was no longer taboo in the majority of western societies; perhaps even the reverse: that members of both sexes would have experienced a number of sexual partners before marriage. Some cultural groups continued to place a value on the moral purity of an abstainer, but abstinence was caught up in a wider re-evaluation of moral values. A Watt steam engine, the steam engine that propelled the Industrial Revolution in Britain and the world. ... Victoria Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Empress of India Victorian morality is a distillation of the moral views of people living at the time of Queen Victoria (reigned 1837 - 1901) in particular, and to the moral climate of Great Britain throughout the 19th century in... The Puritans were members of a group of radical Protestants which developed in England after the Reformation. ... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999... “The Great War ” redirects here. ... Mushroom cloud from the nuclear explosion over Nagasaki rising 18 km into the air. ... The Pill redirects here. ... An antibiotic is a drug that kills or slows the growth of bacteria. ... The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979, also called The Seventies. ... Moral values are things held to be right or wrong or desirable or undesirable. ...

In some cultures, those who infringe the rules regarding chastity may be ostracized. Social reacceptance can sometimes be regained by marriage between the two. In the West, even as late as the mid-20th century, there was a stigma attached to being a 'one-parent family' and an illegitimate child could be legitimized by the marriage of the parents. (This latter is still the case in many Western countries, though the lifting of legal penalties and social stigma regarding illegitimacy has rendered this irrelevant to social acceptance.)

Abstinence

Lifelong (or at least long-term) abstinence, often associated with religious ascetism, is distinguished from chastity before marriage. Abstinence is often viewed as an admirable act of self-control over the natural desire to have sex. The display of the strength of character allows the abstainer to set an example for those not able to contain their "base urges." At other times abstinence has been seen as a great social ill practiced by those who refuse to engage with the material and physical world. Some groups that propose sexual abstinence consider it an essential means to reach a particular intellectual or spiritual condition, or that chastity allows one to achieve a required self-control or a self-consciousness.See The Heremeneutics of Sexual Order An ascetic is one who practices a renunciation of worldly pursuits to achieve spiritual attainment. ...

In many religions chastity is required of the respective sacerdotal orders. In some religions, including some branches of Christianity such as Catholicism, celibacy is required for priests and/or monks. The Shakers, on the other hand, impose chastity in the form of celibacy for all members. Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. ... Catholic Church redirects here. ... Celibacy refers either to being unmarried or to sexual abstinence. ... This article is about religious workers. ... For other uses, see Monk (disambiguation). ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

While there have been cultures which achieved total sexual abstinence, such as castration cults, it is unlikely that any of them survived for a substantial period of time due to their lack of reproduction. Regardless, the arrival of technology like in vitro fertilisation allows reproduction without sexual intercourse. A number of religious cults have included castration as a central theme of their beliefs. ... For other uses, see Reproduction (disambiguation) Reproduction is the biological process by which new individual organisms are produced. ... For the Inter-Varsity Fellowship, see Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship. ...

Abstinence as a lifestyle

Although many individuals abstain from sex for complex reasons such as religion or morality, for some individuals sexual abstinence is simply a lifestyle choice. Those individuals who fall into this category may have a dislike of sex, or are simply not interested in it. They may view sex as an unnecessary part of human life. As with other lifestyle choices, this attitude toward sex and relationships can vary greatly. Some who choose such a lifestyle still accept sex for reproduction, some engage in romantic relationships, and some engage in masturbation. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... For other uses, see Reproduction (disambiguation) Reproduction is the biological process by which new individual organisms are produced. ... An intimate relationship is a particularly close interpersonal relationship. ... Woman masturbating, 1913 drawing by Gustav Klimt. ...

Medical aspects of abstinence

Throughout history, and especially prior to the 20th century, there have been those who have held that sexual abstinence confers numerous health benefits. For males, lack of abstinence was thought to cause a reduction of vitality. In modern times the argument has been phrased in biological terms, claiming that loss of semen through ejaculation results in a depletion of vital nutrients such as lecithin and phosphorus which are also found at high levels in the brain. Conservation of the semen allegedly allows it to be reabsorbed back into the bloodstream and aid in the healthy development of the body. Before the "sexual revolution" of the 1960s, it was commonly believed by members of the medical profession that numerous mental and physical diseases in men were caused primarily by loss of nutrients through seminal discharge, and that the deliberate conservation of this substance would lead to increased health, vitality and intellectual prowess. This also applied to auto-erotic practices which were also thought to lead to bedwetting and hairy palms. (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999... For the Macy Gray song, see Sexual Revolution (song). ... The 1960s decade refers to the years from 1960 to 1969. ... Woman masturbating, 1913 drawing by Gustav Klimt. ... Bedwetting (or nocturnal enuresis or sleepwetting) is involuntary urination while asleep after the age at which bladder control would normally be anticipated. ... A typical 18th century phrenology chart. ...

Raymond W. Bernard, Ph.D. in his essay entitled "Science discovers the physiological value of continence" (1957) states:

"[I]t is clear that there is an important internal physiological relation between the secretions of the sex glands and the central nervous system, that the loss of these secretions, voluntarily or involuntarily, exercises a detrimental effect on the nutrition and vitality of the nerves and brain, while, on the other hand, the conservation of these secretions has a vitalizing effect on the nervous system, a regenerating effect on the endocrine glands and a rejuvenating effect on the organism as a whole."

However, ill effects have not found to be associated with frequent ejaculation, and one study suggests that frequent ejaculation may lead to a lower risk of prostate cancer (1). Indeed, there have been numerous studies indicating that excessive repression of the sexual instinct leads to an increase in the overall level of aggression in a given society. For example, psychologist J.M. Prescott, in a cross-cultural investigation published in The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists (1975) found that societies forbidding premarital sex are plagued by acts of rage and tend to have higher rates of crime and violence. Prescott also found a link between sexual repression and aggression, insensitivity, criminal behavior, and a greater likelihood of killing and torturing enemies. A diagram showing the CNS: 1. ... An endocrine gland is one of a set of internal organs involved in the secretion of hormones into the blood. ... HRPC redirects here. ... Psychological science redirects here. ... The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists is a journal concerned with global security issues, especially related to the dangers posed nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction. ... Year 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Chastity in Various Religions

Chastity is a virtue expected of the faithful of many religions, including Christians and Muslims. This usually includes abstinence from sex for the unmarried, and faithfulness to a marriage partner. In many religions some groups of people are expected to practice celibacy — to abstain from sex completely, and remain unmarried. These groups include monks, nuns, and priests in various sects of Christianity. From the Roman Catholic perspective everyone is called to chastity be they married, single, or in a religious order. Chastity is a function of one's respect for the dignity of another especially in a sexual context. Sex with one's spouse is not against chastity so long as both remain open to having children — contraceptives violate true chastity. Personification of virtue (Greek ἀρετή) in Celsus Library in Ephesos, Turkey Virtue (Latin virtus; Greek ) is moral excellence of a person. ... For other uses, see Christian (disambiguation). ... There is also a collection of Hadith called Sahih Muslim A Muslim (Arabic: مسلم, Persian: Mosalman or Mosalmon Urdu: مسلمان, Turkish: Müslüman, Albanian: Mysliman, Bosnian: Musliman) is an adherent of the religion of Islam. ... Matrimony redirects here. ... For other uses, see Monk (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Nun (disambiguation). ... This article is about religious workers. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      Christianity is...

In Christianity, sexual intercourse is meant to take place within the context of marriage; abstinence is therefore expected of unmarried people. But for married couples, the apostle Paul wrote that they should not deprive each other except for a time for devotion to prayer. Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      Christianity is... Paul of Tarsus (b. ... For other uses, see Prayer (disambiguation). ...

Judaism forbids intercourse outside marriage (which is termed zenuth or promiscuity), but has no ideal of abstinence for particular clerical groups. In fact, it is practically expected of men in religious functions (e.g. rabbis) to be married. Abstinence is practiced while a woman is menstruating and the week after cessation of flow (the law of niddah), as well as a set period after childbirth. See Abstinence in Judaism. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... For the town in Italy, see Rabbi, Italy. ... Not to be confused with Mensuration. ... Niddah (or nidah, nidda, nida; Hebrew:נִדָּה) is a Hebrew term which literally means separation, generally considered to refer to separation from ritual impurity[1]; Ibn Ezra argues that it is related to the term menaddekem, meaning cast you out[2]. The term niddah appears in the biblical description of the... Parturition redirects here. ... Abstinence is the refraining from enjoyments which are lawful in themselves. ...

Islam also forbids intercourse outside of marriage, however maintaining celibacy as an act of piety is strongly discouraged, and marriage for all who are able is strongly encouraged. Similar to Judaism, abstinence is practiced during the time of a woman's menstruation. Abstinence from sexual intercourse is also practiced during the dawn to dusk fasts of Ramadan or other fasting days. For people named Islam, see Islam (name). ... This article is about religious observances during the month of Ramadan. ...

The Hindu tradition of Brahmacharya places great emphasis on abstinence as a way of harnessing the energy of body and mind towards the goal of spiritual realisation. In males, the semen (Veerja) is considered sacred and its preservation (except when used for procreation) and conversion into higher life energy (Ojas) is considered essential for the development of enhanced intellectual and spiritual capacities. This article discusses the adherents of Hinduism. ... Brahmacharya (pronounced /brʌmatʃərɪə/) is a Sanskrit word. ... Ojas is a Sanskrit word which literally means vigor. It is the essential energy of the body which can be equated with the fluid of life. According to Ayurveda, Ojas is the sap of our life energy which, when sufficient, is equated with immunity, and when deficient, results in weakness...

In the Vedanta tradition of Hinduism, the Brahman (Infinite Being) is regarded as the true Self of all and the ego-personality is a lesser self. The belief that one is the ego rather than the Self is regarded as the root of ignorance which leads to the problems in the world and in one's own life. All desires which centre around the satisfaction of the ego are considered to have their basis in ignorance, because the true Self is all-pervading and therefore without desire for anything outside itself. This page deals with the Hindu concept of The Supreme Reality. ...

Most spiritual traditions share the view that humans are essentially spiritual beings and that excessive indulgence in physical sense pleasure takes one away from spiritual self-knowledge.

In Buddhism, attachment to impermanent things is regarded as one of the major causes of suffering. Sex is arguably the strongest attachment to impermanent things which human beings have. Therefore in Buddhism celibacy has been regarded as essential to obtaining Nirvana (liberation from suffering). A statue of the Sakyamuni Buddha in Tawang Gompa, India. ... This article is about the Buddhist concept. ...

Satanism condones sexual behavior as long as it is in accordance to the wills of the individuals participating. Not supporting rape or incest, but simply sexual behavior based upon those involved, and their comfort. Satanism is perhaps the only religion which believes in Indulgence. For many Satanists one must complete themselves before they can help others, even abstinence is supported by Satanism, as long as the Satanist doesn't advocate their decisions. Satanism can refer to a number of belief systems depending on the user and contexts. ...

Modern abstinence movements

Abstinence advocates recommend it as a way to avoid pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Without sexual contact, it is virtually impossible to conceive a child (other than through artificial insemination). By avoiding exposure of the sexual organs to other people, one will also avoid the sexual transmission of many diseases (STDs). Note, however, that many STDs can also be transmitted non-sexually. Some STDs (including genital warts due to human papillomavirus) are passed through skin-to-skin contact and are either not prevented by using a condom or only partially effective. Further, some have noted that many do not consider oral sex or similar acts to violate abstinence. One study states that 55% of college students claiming abstinence had indeed performed oral sex. Many of these acts can transmit STDs.^[1] This article is about human pregnancy in biological females. ... Sexually-transmitted infections (STIs), also known as sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs), are diseases that are commonly transmitted between partners through some form of sexual activity, most commonly vaginal intercourse, oral sex, or anal sex. ... AIH redirects here. ... genital warts around the anus Genital warts on a female Genital warts on a male Genital warts (or Condyloma, Condylomata acuminata, or venereal warts) is a highly contagious sexually transmitted infection caused by some sub-types of human papillomavirus (HPV). ... HPV redirects here. ... This article is about the male contraceptive device. ...

However, critics note that many abstinence education programs include information that although true, is misleading. For example, many programs exaggerate the risks of oral sex; the risk of exposure to HIV through saliva is significantly less than through exposure to semen. Furthermore, HIV is far more likely to be transmitted through saliva when the recipient is already infected with another sexually transmitted infection, such as syphilis. Epidemiological studies from sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and North America have suggested that there is approximately a four times greater risk of becoming infected with HIV in the presence of a genital ulcer such as those caused by syphilis and/or chancroid.

Advocates also claim other benefits, such as the freedom from teenage pregnancy and resulting ability to focus on education and preparing for their future.

Many critics of abstinence promotion programs claim that these programs are not an effective way to decrease the occurrence of diseases and unwanted pregnancies. While supporters claim that abstinence is the only 100% successful birth control method, detractors point out that abstinence is 100% effective only with perfect use. Detractors further claim that human nature leads to a high failure rate in practice.^[2]

While some teens may have weak sexual desire or few sexual opportunities and thus be able to maintain it successfully, others will have stronger desires, more opportunities or act under the influence of drugs^{[citation needed]}, and will in these situations not be prepared to take precautions (using condoms or other contraceptives). Worse, they may consider the independent acquisition of information about precautionary measures shameful and avoid it altogether. An assortment of psychoactive drugs A psychoactive drug or psychotropic substance is a chemical substance that acts primarily upon the central nervous system where it alters brain function, resulting in temporary changes in perception, mood, consciousness and behavior. ... This article is about the male contraceptive device. ...

Pregnancy can also be avoided through selective sexual abstinence. This method is generally known as fertility awareness or natural family planning. In order to be effective, the partners must abstain from coitus for a time sufficient to ensure that no spermatazoa (lifespan up to 5-6 days) are able to fertilize an ovum (lifespan up to 48 hours). There are a variety of types of fertility awareness. Observational systems such as the sympto-thermo method can have correct use failure rates as low as 1% per year under perfect use with a two-week abstinence period ^[3] (According to the WHO, this method has an estimated 25% failure rate under ordinary use.)^[3] Statistical methods such as the Standard Days Method have higher correct-use failure rates. Fertility Awareness (FA) is the practice of observing one or more of a woman’s primary fertility signs to determine the fertile and infertile phases of her menstrual cycle. ... Natural family planning (NFP) is a term referring to the family planning methods approved by the Roman Catholic Church. ... Schematic diagram of a sperm cell, showing the (1) acrosome, (2) cell membrane, (3) nucleus, (4) mitochondria, and (5) flagellum (tail) A sperm cell, or spermatozoon ( spermatozoa) (in Greek: sperm = semen and zoon = alive), is the haploid cell that is the male gamete. ... A human ovum Sperm cells attempting to fertilize an ovum An ovum (plural ova) is a haploid female reproductive cell or gamete. ...

Organizations such as SIECUS have called abstinence-only programs "fear-based", "designed to control young people’s sexual behavior by instilling fear, shame, and guilt." [1] Author Judith Levine has argued that there might be a natural tendency of abstinence educators to escalate their messages: "Like advertising, which must continually jack up its seduction just to stay visible as other advertising proliferates, abstinence education had to make sex scarier and scarier and, at the same time, chastity sweeter." (Harmful to Minors, p.108) SIECUS, the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States is a United States organization dedicated to sexuality education, sexual health, and sexual rights. ... Judith Levine (born 1952) is a noted author and civil libertarian. ... Harmful to Minors: The Perils of Protecting Children From Sex (ISBN 0-8166-4006-8) is a controversial book by Judith Levine that was published in 2002 with a foreword by former United States Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders. ...

In spite of these criticisms, abstinence has become the de facto focus of sex education in the United States, so that opponents frequently adopt the line that abstinence education is acceptable only if it is combined with other methods, such as instruction in the use of condoms and easy availability thereof. Most nations of Western Europe use more comprehensive measures, and in sharp contrast to the heated discussion in the US, abstinence is hardly discussed as an educational measure. De facto is a Latin expression that means in fact or in practice. It is commonly used as opposed to de jure (meaning by law) when referring to matters of law or governance or technique (such as standards), that are found in the common experience as created or developed without... An early 20th century post card documents the problem of unwanted pregnancy. ... A current understanding of Western Europe. ...

US federal government promoted abstinence-only program aimed at teens from the 1981 in order to discourage premarital sexual behavior and unwanted pregnancies. However, recent studies showed ineffectiveness of this program. Responsible Education About Life Act, that was introduced by Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Christopher Shays (R-CT) to support age-appropriate sexual education. This program is focused to provide teenagers with science-based information on sexual health so that they could make a sound decision regarding their sex life.^[4] For other uses of terms redirecting here, see US (disambiguation), USA (disambiguation), and United States (disambiguation) Motto In God We Trust(since 1956) (From Many, One; Latin, traditional) Anthem The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City National language English (de facto)1 Demonym American... Year 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Gregorian calendar). ...

In 2006, the administration of United States President George W. Bush expanded abstinence programs from teens to adults by introducing programs to encourage unmarried adults to remain abstinent until marriage.^[5] Family planning advocates and researchers denounced the program as unrealistic due to the rising age of first-time marriage in the United States.^[6]

Popularity and effectiveness

See also: Sex education

The advent of AIDS helped restore the momentum of the favourable view of abstinence. However, a review of 13 US sex abstinence programs involving over 15,000 people found that they do not stop risky sexual behavior or help in the prevention of unwanted pregnancy[2]. Currently there are also issues as to what abstinence means: is it an abstinence from sexual intercourse or from sexual behaviour? Movements such as True Love Waits in America which asks teenagers to refrain from sex before marriage are heavily subscribed but surveys of sexual behaviour indicate an increase in the popularity of oral sex.^[7] Oral sex is not perceived as being "real sex." Teenage girls are able to indulge in sexual practices while claiming the traditional virtues of the virgin in cultures that admire it. An early 20th century post card documents the problem of unwanted pregnancy. ... For other uses, see AIDS (disambiguation). ... True Love Waits (TLW) is an international Christian group that promotes sexual abstinence outside of marriage for teenagers and college students. ... For other uses of terms redirecting here, see US (disambiguation), USA (disambiguation), and United States (disambiguation) Motto In God We Trust(since 1956) (From Many, One; Latin, traditional) Anthem The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City National language English (de facto)1 Demonym American... “Young Men” redirects here. ... Oral sex consists of all sexual activities that involve the use of the mouth, which may include use of the tongue, teeth, and throat, to stimulate genitalia. ...

The effectiveness of abstinence programs and movements remains debated. The study "Promising the Future: Virginity Pledges and First Intercourse" by Peter Bearman and Hanna Brückner examined the relationship between virginity pledges and first sexual intercourse. From the abstract:^[8] Virginity pledges (or abstinence pledges) are commitments made by teenagers and young adults to refrain from sexual intercourse until marriage. ...

Since 1993, in response to a movement sponsored by the Southern Baptist Convention, over 2.5 million adolescents have taken public virginity pledges, in which they promise to abstain from sex until marriage. This paper explores the effect of those pledges on the transition to first intercourse. Adolescents who pledge are much less likely to have intercourse than adolescents who do not pledge. The delay effect is substantial. On the other hand, the pledge does not work for adolescents at all ages. Second, pledging delays intercourse only in contexts where there are some, but not too many, pledgers. The pledge works because it is embedded in an identity movement. Consequently, the pledge identity is meaningful only in contexts where it is at least partially nonnormative. Consequences of pledging are explored for those who break their promise. Promise breakers are less likely than others to use contraception at first intercourse.

The effects observed in this study (and a follow up [3] study) could be explained as mere correlations: Adolescents who feel the desire to take part in the virginity movement are more likely to remain abstinent for a variety of reasons, and less likely to have knowledge about contraception. Critics of abstinence-only education point to studies that show that teens who take virginity pledges are just as likely to have sex, but are more likely to do it without protection. However, they do show that they engage in sexual behavior later in life than their peers. Some studies have found that school-based abstinence programs actually increase the incidence of pregnancies.^[9] The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is a United States-based Christian denomination that consists of numerous agencies including six seminaries, two mission boards and a variety of other organizations such as: the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention, which can act for the SBC ad interim between annual meetings...

See also

• Asexuality
• Abstinence, be faithful, use a condom
• Abstinence-only sex education
• Antisexualism
• Chastity belt
• Chastity ring
• Harmful to Minors, a book by Judith Levine which deals with sexual morality in the United States and also discusses the issue of abstinence education
• Masturbation
• Platonic love
• Promiscuity
• Purity Ball
• Religious aspects of marriage
• Refusal skills
• Spiritual marriage
• Straight edge
• Teenage pregnancy
• Virginity pledge

This article is about the sexual orientation in humans. ... Abstinence, be faithful, use a condom, also known as the ABC strategy or abstinence plus sex education, is a sex education policy based on harm reduction which modifies the strict approach of abstinence-only sex education by including education about safe sex and birth control methods. ... Abstinence-only sex education is a form of sex education which emphasizes abstaining from sex, often to the exclusion of all other types of sexual and reproductive health education, particularly regarding birth control and safe sex. ... Antisexualism is a term that describes the views of someone who is antagonistic towards sexuality, or a movement against all forms of sexuality. ... Venetian chastity belt on display in the Doges palace. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Harmful to Minors: The Perils of Protecting Children From Sex (ISBN 0-8166-4006-8) is a controversial book by Judith Levine that was published in 2002 with a foreword by former United States Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders. ... Judith Levine (born 1952) is a noted author and civil libertarian. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... Woman masturbating, 1913 drawing by Gustav Klimt. ... Platonic love in its modern popular sense is an affectionate relationship into which the sexual element does not enter, especially in cases where one might easily assume otherwise. ... “Promiscuous” redirects here. ... A Purity Ball (also known as a Father Daughter Purity Ball) is a formal event attended by fathers and their daughters. ... In virtually all religions, marriage is a long-term union between two people and is established with ceremonies and rituals. ... The refusal skills approach of teen celibacy advocates focuses on coaching unmarried high school students how to decline, in a way that promotes self-respect, sexual proposals by others. ... Spiritual marriage comes from the idea of love without sex. ... For the drawing or cutting tool, see Straightedge. ... Virginity pledges (or abstinence pledges) are commitments made by teenagers and young adults to refrain from sexual intercourse until marriage. ...

References

1. ^ Understanding 'Abstinence': Implications for Individuals, Programs and Policies (2003). Retrieved on 2006-10-09.
2. ^ Abstinence Is Foolproof? Think Again! (2006). Retrieved on 2006-10-09.
3. ^ ^{a b} Mims, Christopher (2007-3-23), "Modified Rhythm Method Shown to Be as Effective as the Pill—But Who Has That Kind of Self-Control?", Scientific American, <http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?articleid=80D25E2D-E7F2-99DF-39F66842EB6BE952>. Retrieved on 2007-10-3
4. ^ Congress changed its mind on abstinence
5. ^ New Bush Administration Policy Promotes Abstinence Until Marriage Among People in their 20s, Guttmacher Policy Review 2006, Volume 9, Number 4. Available online at http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/gpr/09/4/gpr090423.html
6. ^ Boerner, Heather. Questioning Abstinence Until Marriage. Available online at http://www.plannedparenthood.org/news-articles-press/politics-policy-issues/teen-pregnancy-sex-education/premarital-sex-13377.htm
7. ^ Lisa Remez (Nov.–Dec. 2000). "Oral Sex among Adolescents: Is It Sex or Is It Abstinence?". Family Planning Perspectives 32 (6): 298–304. 
8. ^ Peter S. Bearman and Hannah Brückner: Promising the Future: Virginity Pledges and First Intercourse. American Journal of Sociology, Volume 106, Number 4 (January 2001), pp. 859-912.
9. ^ DiCenso A. et al.: Interventions to Reduce Unintended Pregnancies Among Adolescents: Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. British Medical Journal 2002;324:1426.

Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 282nd day of the year (283rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 282nd day of the year (283rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Systematic reviews are named as the highest level of medical evidence, by evidence based medicine professionals. ... A randomized controlled trial (RCT) is a form of clinical trial, or scientific procedure used in the testing of the efficacy of medicines or medical procedures. ...

External links

• James W. Prescott, "Body pleasure and the origins of violence", The Bulletin of The Atomic Scientists, November 1975, pp. 10-20 online copy. Claims that somatosensory (including sexual) deprivation as minors causes violent behaviour of grown-ups.
• Chastity in Catholic Encyclopedia — a Christian view on chastity
• No New Money for Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Programs advocacy website
• Pure Love Club advocacy group that encourages sexual abstinence and chastity
• Real Love syndicated columnist and abstinence advocate
• Silver Ring Thing abstinence pledge program
• Social Determinants of Attitudes Towards Women's Premarital Sexuality Among Female Turkish University Students
• The True Love Thing to Do abstinence curriculum ( a 2½ hour abstinence seminar ) for teenagers
• WAIT "Washington AIDS International Teens"

Effectiveness of abstinence

• BBC News, 2 August 2007, No-sex programmes 'not working'
• CNN/Associated Press, April 14 2007, Study: Abstinence programs no guarantee
• Sabin Russell, San Francisco Chronicle, 24 February 2005, "Uganda's HIV rate drops, but not from abstinence: Study concludes basis of Bush policy apparently irrelevant"
• United States poll shows parents favoring abstinence-based education (Focus on the Family press release)
• Study finds abstinence programs haven't influenced TX teens at the Internet Archive Wayback Machine
• Texas A&M study shows abstinence works: Students more likely to abstain
• Shaoni Bhattacharya, NewScientist.com news service, 02 February 2005, "Teen sex abstinence study sparks controversy"