Making a commitment to stop being sexually active...and sticking with it...is hard work!! But lots of teens have made that commitment ...and stuck with it!! Here's why others are making the choice for Renewed Virginity:

1) Sex outside of marriage is not just a form of personal recreation, but it carries with it a whole lot of risk- .risk of getting an STD that'll be with you for life- ..risk of getting pregnant or getting someone pregnant- .risk of getting a broken heart-..risk of being dumped by your girlfriend or boyfriend. Maybe some of these things have already happened to you and you're ready for a change.

2) Sex is only risk-free inside of marriage- that's where it's meant to be expressed-..that's where it can and should be enjoyed freely- and couples who've waited until marriage actually have better marriages!!!

3) Studies have shown that 22 million died of AIDS worldwide since 1981. Also, 36 million live with Aids today. You definitely don't want to be a statistic, do you?

Here are the steps you can take to achieve RENEWED VIRGINITY:
(adapted from Teen Aid "Sexuality, Commitment & Family") First of all, you need a plan and you need to follow it...PRECISELY!

1) The first step you've probably already taken...but it's very important: DECIDE TO CHANGE. That's right! Every change we make begins with a mental choice!

2) Next, you've got to stop doing things that turn each other on. Set limits on physical contact. Talk to your date about situations that make it difficult to resist sex. You might want to make a list of things to avoid doing together and decide that if it's on the list...you won't go there. For example, you might write things like: "laying down together to watch a movie" or "touching any body part covered by underwear or a bra". You KNOW what makes the temptation too hard to resist, so begin there!

3) Plan your dates ahead of time. Find activities that you and your date enjoy doing together. Use your energies in a productive way! Know what you're going to do on your date, where you're going to go, how long you're going to be gone. Empty time with nothing to do can easily slip into a sexual situation.

4) Limit the amount of time you spend alone. Do things with other couples, do things in groups...that's safe and it helps you build a stronger relationship...but it also helps to keep physical temptation under control.

5) Tell your friends and parents about your new commitment so that they can support you in your decision. Ask them to keep you accountable for your decision! Tell them you want them to ask you how you're doing in this area!

6) Tell your date about your commitment. When you begin dating someone, let them know RIGHT AWAY that you are NOT interested in a sexual relationship until after marriage. That way, there are no questions about where you stand on this issue.

7) Put your new commitment for abstinence in writing. . Use this commitment as a sign of your determiniation to change and as a reminder when you're tempted to step over the line. You won't always FEEL like keeping this commitment, but you KNOW it's the right thing to do.


REMEMBER: IT'S NEVER TOO LATE FOR A SECOND CHANCE!!