FAMUAN Face-Off: Is Abstinence Really A Choice

Let’s face it; the only way to remain free of sexually transmitted diseases and avoid pregnancy at a young age is through sexual abstinence– not having sex.

Condoms and birth control pills are safe and reliable alternatives, but they are not 100 percent effective. According to the Centers for Disease Control, consistent and correct use of male latex condoms can reduce (though not eliminate) the risk of STD transmission.

Birth control pills can also be an effective, but it is not an effective method for the female if she forgets to take it. This is not an attempt to say that sex is bad but more so an effort to inform people of a lifestyle that is often overlooked.

Some may ask how is it possible to make a commitment to not have sex until marriage, I ask what makes it impossible?

Sure, there is that pleasurable aspect of sex that seems to lure people in, but it is still a choice. The same way one chooses to have sex is the same way that one can choose to remain chaste. Even though it may be difficult to resist our sexual desires, we can still make a decision to look beyond what is between someone’s legs.