Adolescence- A Time of Change Lesson 2 Practicing Abstinence Chapter 21 Adolescence- A Time of Change Lesson 2 Practicing Abstinence Group 3: Shelly-Ann Brown Diana Itacy Latasha Moore

WELCOME! Dr. Chen's 8th Grade Class

Why Tell You About Abstinence! The pressure begins at this age level The likelihood of teenagers having intercourse increases steadily with age Providing information now can give you insight to make the decision to choose abstinence

Overview of Topics Defintions Peer Pressure Negative Consequences of Sexual Activity Practicing Abstinence

Definitions Abstinence- the conscious decision to avoid harmful behaviors, including sexual activity before marriage and the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs Priorities- things that are first in importance Sexually transmitted disease- an infectious disease that is spread from person to person through sexual contact

Definitions Self-control- a person’s ability to use responsibility

Influences on Decision to Become Sexually Active Peer Pressure Physical attractiveness Sense of belonging Curiosity Media videos, magazines, music etc.

Peer Pressure Background Information Gender Differences Effect on adolescence Gender Differences How males and females respond differently Methods to Overcome Peer Pressure How you can resist the pressure

Adolescence and Peer Pressure Teens begin to separate from parents and confide in peers Start to feel the social pressures from peers to become sexually active Teens use a sex as a way of searching for their values attitudes and styles of behavior

Adolescence and Peer Pressure Teens look at peer groups to set rules for correct social behavior Many behave in ways the group approves of to feel they belong Listen to peers talk and feel left out if they do not start

Adolescence and Peer Pressure Overall, despite different reasons why teens become sexually active, peer pressure acts as the important influence that encourages teens to become sexually active

How Males and Females Respond to Peer Pressure Adolescent females and males report similar perceptions Males are more likely to submit to peer influence Females are more discrete For females it is more of a emotional and mental process

How to Avoid/Overcome Peer Pressure Learn to understand your own personality and become independent to make effective decisions Take time to think about how you feel and believe about the situation Have confidence in your own feelings, beliefs, values, preferences, abilities and limits Join organizations peer groups that share the same values and interests as you

Negative Consequences of Sexual Activity Sexually transmitted diseases Unplanned pregnancy Loss of self-respect Negative effect on relationships

Sexually Transmitted Disease An infectious disease that is spread from person to person through sexual contact. Every 1 in 4 sexually experienced teens acquire an STD (Alan Guttmacher Institute, 1999) Chlamydia and gonorrhea are two STDs that are common for teens to acquire. STD video clip

Sexually Transmitted Disease Chlamydia can be passed through vaginal, oral and anal sex Symptoms include: inflamed urethra, vaginal discharge (women), pain during intercourse and urination If untreated can cause pelvic inflammatory disease and sterility

Pictures of Chlamydia Source: www.askjeeves.com

Sexually Transmitted Disease Gonorrhea like chlamydia, can be passed through vaginal, oral or anal sex Symptoms include: bleeding during intercourse (women), painful urination, secretion from genitals If untreated can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, which leads to sterility

Unplanned Pregnancy Prevalence in the United States Sociological and psychological effects Health risks for teen mother and baby

Unplanned Pregnancy Each year, almost 1 million teenage women become pregnant The rate has declined 17% in the United States, but is still high compared to other developed countries (AGI, 1999) 78% of teen pregnancies are unplanned 56% ended in birth while others were aborted or miscarried (See graph)

Teen Pregnancy Outcomes CHART --Source: Henshaw SK, (reference 20), Table 1

Unplanned Pregnancy Sociological and psychological effects Teens mothers are not as ready than older women Less likely to receive child support from biological father Less likely to establish independence and financial security adequate to provide for themselves and child

Unplanned Pregnancy Health risks for mother and baby Higher rates illness and death for mother and baby Higher risk for complications such as anemia, pregnancy-induced hypertension premature delivery 2 to 6 six times for infant to be low-birth weight

Negative Consequences of Sexual Activity Loss of self-respect Risk of being called “sexually easy” Compromising values and beliefs Feelings of guilt and regret if caught by parents or something bad happens

Negative Consequences of Sexual Activity Negative effect on relationships Complicate your relationship with partner Shown to tear relationships apart rather than bring them together May find it difficult to have new and relationships in the future Complicate relationship with parents

Practice Abstinence Reasons for practicing abstinence Methods of incorporating abstinence

Practicing Abstinence Reasons to practice abstinence Avoid contracting an STD Avoid unplanned pregnancy Maintain self-respect and self-esteem 100% effective method of birth control

Practicing Abstinence Methods to incorporate abstinence Set priorities in life Setting limits Communicating Avoid high-pressure situations

Practicing Abstinence Setting priorities in life Find things that are most important to you in your life Establish goals and career plans so that you can accomplish The best contraceptive for young teens is a real future

Practicing Abstinence Setting limits Basis on how far you will go Set these limits to how your goals are planned in life Set these limits in advance

Practicing Abstinence Communicating Boyfriend/Girlfriend Share your priorities and limits to your partner Be honest about your feelings and moral judgements If communication is unlikely, then the relationship is not mature

Practicing Abstinence Communicating (cont.) Trusted adult Discussing feeling and concerns with adults can be helpful They may offer suggestions on certain situations They have been through adolescence too

Practicing Abstinence High-Pressure Situations Peer Pressure Friends sometimes have the wrong intentions in mind Don't allow alcohol and/or drugs to cloud your judgment Use wishful thinking

Practicing Abstinence Safety in Numbers Use the buddy system when going out Avoid being alone for long time periods

Practicing Abstinence Re-Evaluating Decisions to keep you abstinent Avoid situations that would cause you to become sexually active If sexually active, evaluate reasons to become abstinent

Contraceptives Condoms Latex condoms are the only form of contraception that is highly effective in protecting against sexually transmitted infections including HIV If used correctly, condoms can prevent unwanted pregnancies and STD's

Contraceptives Birth Control Pills Prescribed synthetic hormone pills that fool the body into thinking it's pregnant Must be taken everyday

Overview of Topics Peer Pressure How it influences decision and behavior Negative Consequences of Sexual Activity The possible outcomes if you engage Practicing Abstinence Benefits and how to practice

Community Resources Planned Parenthood www.plannedparenthood.org The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnacy www.teenpregnacy.org Teen Health www.kidshealth.org/teen/

Remember ! The safest sex is ABSTINENCE!

Jeopardy!