The Safest Sex

Abstinence means choosing not to have sexual intercourse. It is practiced throughout the world by many people in many different cultures. It is a common, deliberate choice, made by normal women and men who want to avoid some of the consequences that arise from premarital sexual activity.

Obviously refraining from sexual activity can be very difficult from a physical desire perspective, but it can also be difficult from a relationship standpoint. For instance, some couples feel the need, or even an obligation, to become physical to express love, affection, or even just to take their relationship to the "next level." For most people though, a good relationship is about so much more than just sex. In many ways, saying no to sex early on can lead to a deeper relationship that is more than just physical activity or attraction. For some couples, watching a movie, going out for dinner, or taking a romantic walk on the beach is every bit as fulfilling as sex, which often then leads to deeper communication and respect. If your partner thinks you need sex to better your relationship, what kind of relationship do you have anyway? Teenagers often feel peer pressure to engage in sexual activity. Or like they are a "loser" or "uncool" if they haven't done it, which also makes it even harder to resist. But allowing someone to pressure you into a decision of such magnitude, with so many risks is definitely not a "cool" thing. For more information check out standupgirl.org.

Human beings are equipped with a higher level of thinking, which allows one to control their sexual urges. Sex is very closely linked to ones psychological and emotional state. Because of the impact sex has on people — being so much more than just a physical act — most people find it much more meaningful when one is in a committed marriage that is open to the possibility of children. For more information check out lovematters.com.

Some people believe abstinence is only abstaining from sexual intercourse. But true abstinence is to refrain from any sort of sexual activity, including: intercourse, oral sex, anal sex, dry sex (a.k.a. outercourse or grinding), mutual masturbation, or any other intimate physical activity done between two people for sexual pleasure. A good question to pose to yourself if in doubt is: can this behavior be done in public, or only in private? Some people tell themselves that activities such as oral sex aren't "real" sex. But engaging in acts such as oral sex are often a precursor to sexual intercourse. And while oral sex will not make you pregnant, you can still contract a vast array of STDs through oral sex, including both bacterial and viral STDs, including the AIDS virus.