Who
We Are
ABSTINENCE:
Option or Outdated?
It seems like in high school sex is almost a REQUIREMENT to be in a relationship. Well that is the farthest from the truth.
Surviving the Dating Game!
Don't Be Closed Minded
- Allot of teens today think that abstinence is just outdated and they throw it out as an option all together.
- At least let abstinence be an option for you especially when it is the ONLY 100% way to prevent pregnancy and STD's.
- Abstinence is only outdated when people are too close minded to make it an option...
Set Some Physical Boundaries
- Boundaries are no good if we don’t ever set them. Decide what your boundary is here.
- IF YOU DON’T SET YOUR BOUNDARIES....YOU WILL GO TOO FAR!
- Someone you SHOULD date will RESPECT and SHARE your boundaries and not pressure you into changing them.
Boundaries = FREEDOM!
- Do you love sports? Consider how any sports game would go if there were no rules... What if there were no boundary lines or no specific way to get a goal or no fouls? The game would be no fun because it would be CHOAS! Which means boundaries in a sport equals a GREAT game!
- This same thought applies to relationships. Boundaries in a relationship doesn't equal restriction...it equals FREEDOM to have a wonderful relationship without the stress of consequences. So choose FREEDOM!
Try Group Dating
- Group dating is "double dating" or simply you and your date going out with a group of friends.
- Group dating can relieve sexual pressure.
- Creates an environment that is easy to get to know someone.
- You get to introduce them to your friends.
- Make sure you are with a group of friends who share your values and boundaries. You don’t want to be in a group who are pairing off and pressuring you into sexual situations.
Know Your Legal Risks
- Texas Statutory rape is defined as anyone who has sex with someone under the age of 14 or anyone who has sex with someone who is more than 3 years younger than themselves. 46
- Did you know that if someone takes nude pictures of themselves or others who are under the age of 18 and sends them out, that person could be charged with child pornography?
- This is oftened referred to as "sexting".
- Pictures of the genital areas (even when clothes are on) that are sent out with the purpose of causing arrousal can be classified as pornographic as well. 47, 48
Don’t Put Yourself into Tempting Situations
- Don’t go to their bedroom to hang out. (What is the main piece of furniture in a bedroom?!)
- Don’t go on long drives late at night.
- Don’t go to their house when no one is home.
- Don’t have late night conversations especially those that include the topic of sex!
- Don't have sexual IM or text conversations. (Remember when you email, IM, or text something it can be sent to ANYONE!)
Only Date “Marriage Material”
- Most people's reaction to this is, "That's ridiculous! I'm still young and don't know who i'm going to marry!"
- Well my definition of "marriage material" is characteristics that you KNOW you want in a husband/wife (or a boyfriend/girlfriend)…they are called standards.
- So SET SOME!
Allow Sex to Have Value
- Which has a bigger commitment? Sex or Marriage?
- I believe that these should have the same commitment value because when you take one from the other you loose value of one. For example, a marriage without sex is a BAD marriage and sex without marriage is just a meaningless activity you do with whoever you happen to be dating.
- So sex isn't bad...it just should have value in your life!
- Why would you ever give your body to someone who won't even give you a commitment of their life...
Beware of Drugs and Alcohol
- Teens who drink are 7 TIMES more likely to have sex than those that don’t! 49
- 1 out of 4 teens that had sex say they used drugs or drank alcohol the last time they had sex. 50
- Drugs and alcohol also impair your judgment and that can put you more at risk for sexual assault.
Identify Abusive Relationships
- Many teenagers get involved in abusive relationships but never even know it.
- To find out if your relationship is abusive, check out the Abusive Relationship Checklist.
- Remember, abuse is NOT just physical but also emotional, verbal and sexual.
- Listen to those you love! If most of the people in your life are concerned about your relationship, then they probably aren't all wrong...
It is Never Too Late
- You can always start over and make good choices now! Even if you have lost your virginity…make a commitment now to wait until you are married to have sex again. Make that beautiful bond of sex SPECIAL again!
- We can't change our past (or the consequences from those choices) but we can change our future!