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Eight Traits Characterize Teens Who Abstain from Sex
citizenlink ^ | 1-13-09 | Jennifer Mesko

Posted on 01/20/2009 6:41:45 PM PST by Coleus

The news reports seem to vary from day to day. Either condom-based sex education works, or it doesn't. Either abstinence should be the focus, or it shouldn't.

But, according to government-supported research at the Heritage Foundation, one thing is clear: Teens who abstain from sex share some characteristics.

The National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent Health identified eight personality and behavioral traits that were associated with both abstinence and academic achievement:

• Future orientation, with a focus on long-term goals.
• Willingness to postpone current pleasures for larger future rewards.
• Perseverance, as in the ability to stick to a task or commitment.
• A belief that current behavior can positively affect the future.
• Impulse control, including ability to control emotions and desires.
• Resistance to peer influence.
• Respect for parental and social values.
• Sense of self-worth and personal dignity.

Abstinence also is associated with better physical and mental health across socioeconomic groups, according to a summary of the study in U.S. News & World Report. Kids who make abstinence decisions do better in school, too. Abstinent teens are far more likely to attend and graduate from college than those who are sexually active.

Valerie Huber, executive director of the National Abstinence Education Association, said that's what her organization is all about.

“Abstinence education is about setting high expectations for youth and then giving them the skills to reach them," she told CitizenLink.

"With teen births on the rise, we need to increase our efforts to make abstinence a priority. Youth need every weapon in their arsenal to combat the constant 'sex-without-consequences' message they receive at every turn.

"They need to know that only abstinence eliminates all risk."

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Learn the truth about abstinence education.


TOPICS: Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: abstinence; celibacy; character; delayedgratification; promiscuity; selfcontrol; teens; virtue
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1 posted on 01/20/2009 6:41:46 PM PST by Coleus
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To: Coleus

Excellent post - thanks.


2 posted on 01/20/2009 6:45:12 PM PST by anniegetyourgun
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To: Coleus

Let’s be real. No physical attributes were named. My BS meter is near the top. Moral turpitude. NOT you’re lying BS.


3 posted on 01/20/2009 6:48:43 PM PST by allmost
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To: Coleus

Yes, excellent observations in this article. I can testify to these truths.


4 posted on 01/20/2009 6:51:46 PM PST by CounterCounterCulture
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To: Coleus

They didn’t even mention ham radio or the chess club.....


5 posted on 01/20/2009 6:53:22 PM PST by RFEngineer
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To: allmost

what do you want? pictures of hymens to prove their virginity?


6 posted on 01/20/2009 6:54:40 PM PST by GeronL (DAY 1, YEAR 0 - The first day of the Oministration. The nightmare begins.)
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To: Coleus
Great characterisics but they left off one

9. Parents that insist on supervision and chaperons for their daughters.

7 posted on 01/20/2009 6:55:21 PM PST by CindyDawg
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To: RFEngineer

I only did chess club. :-p


8 posted on 01/20/2009 6:57:10 PM PST by CounterCounterCulture
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To: GeronL

Freakish reactions such as your own tend to hurt IMO.


9 posted on 01/20/2009 6:57:55 PM PST by allmost
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To: Coleus

No proof what so ever, however, I know of two characteristics that are almost universal among those who abstain, they do not drink or do drugs.


10 posted on 01/20/2009 6:57:55 PM PST by wita
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To: CindyDawg
9. Parents that insist on supervision and chaperons for their daughters.

And...

10. Dads who always make a point of cleaning their gun when a potential suitor drops by to pick up their daughter for a date.

11 posted on 01/20/2009 7:00:15 PM PST by dfwgator (1996 2006 2008 - Good Things Come in Threes)
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To: Coleus

Other things to include are their familial rate of maturity.

Some families typically marry at 18, have kids at 20, grandchildren at 40 and are old at 60. Others don’t even marry until their mid-30’s, have kids in their late 30’s, have grandchildren in their early 70’s and aren’t really old until their 80’s.

Another big difference is their sexual “strength”. Some kids are just naturally “horn dogs”, and others far less compelled to want to mate. Some never mate at all, they are just not designed for it, and know that they aren’t. They just never get around to dating.

Another set are those that have a physical or psychological reason not to want to have sex or get married. They might feel the urge to have sex, but the “better angels of their nature” know better.


12 posted on 01/20/2009 7:01:36 PM PST by yefragetuwrabrumuy
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To: CindyDawg

That worked for our family.


13 posted on 01/20/2009 7:01:42 PM PST by Jubal Madison (Former dope smoking,libertine, longhaired hippy liberal.Then I grew up.)
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To: dfwgator; Jubal Madison

Yep. Regardless of how determined a girl is, there is always some sweet talking boy out there that is even more determined to win her heart :’) Best IMO to just limit the opportunities for “persuasion”


14 posted on 01/20/2009 7:05:05 PM PST by CindyDawg
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To: allmost

*no physical attributes were named*

For example?


15 posted on 01/20/2009 7:06:26 PM PST by DirtyHarryY2K ("yes we can" Not at my expense!)
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To: Coleus

“Abstinence education is about setting high expectations for youth and then giving them the skills to reach them,”

%%%
Oh, no, we can’t expect them to know that slutting around is beneath their dignity as creatures of God. That would be too judgmental. /s

It really saddens me to see how much we have lost, as a society, in the course of a generation. Back in the 1950s and the 1960s, sexually active girls were the exception, whereas, today, they are in the majority.


16 posted on 01/20/2009 7:06:32 PM PST by Bigg Red (Palin in 2012!)
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To: wita
Those two describe me. I can't stand alcohol, it is all bitter to me and I have never, ever tried drugs. My main failing involves a Big Mac or one of its like offered by a competitor.

I was just a basic guy in school but I knew I wanted to leave small town USA ever since I could remember and the last thing I needed was to be tied down in some high school romance knowing that there is a lot more out there.

17 posted on 01/20/2009 7:06:44 PM PST by wally_bert (Tactical Is Still Missing A Chair! Star Wreck In The Pirkinning......)
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To: allmost

Oops. I hope that came off as sarcastic


18 posted on 01/20/2009 7:07:49 PM PST by GeronL (DAY 1, YEAR 0 - The first day of the Oministration. The nightmare begins.)
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To: yefragetuwrabrumuy
Good points.
19 posted on 01/20/2009 7:08:33 PM PST by wally_bert (Tactical Is Still Missing A Chair! Star Wreck In The Pirkinning......)
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Comment #20 Removed by Moderator


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