Abstinence

Overview

This lesson focuses on learning about abstinence as the only 100 percent effective way to not get pregnant and to not contract a sexually transmitted disease (STD), the benefits of abstinence, and how to analyze intimacy boundaries.

Learning Targets

  • Explain three benefits of abstinence.
  • Analyze your physical intimacy boundaries of what you will and will not do in a relationship.
  • Specify at least three challenges of being a teen parent.

Preparation

For the Warm-Up Activity: Write the journal question on the board or identify (and copy as needed) the worksheets you plan to use.

For the Content Focus: Open the Abstinence PowerPoint slides or make copies of the Abstinence Note-Taking Guide.

For the Lesson Focus: Copy the Abstinence Skill-Building Challenge Worksheet.

Warm-Up Activity

Select a warm-up activity to help get your class focused and on task.

  • Journal Question: List three examples of boundaries you would set in a romantic relationship.
    • Option: Write or project the question and have students respond in their journals as they enter class.
    • Option: Have students discuss the question with a partner or in a small group.
  • Vocabulary Review: Have students work individually, in pairs, or in small groups to complete the Abstinence Vocabulary Review Worksheet.
  • Quiz: Have students complete the Abstinence Quiz to assess their prior knowledge.
    • Option: Collect the quiz and use it alongside a posttest to demonstrate student learning.
    • Option: Have students share their answers with a partner and then go over the answers together as a class.

Lesson Content

Review the content from the textbook lesson.

Lesson Focus: Choosing Abstinence

  1. Provide each student with a copy of the Choosing Abstinence Skill-Building Challenge Worksheet.
  2. As students become involved in relationships, they may face the decision of whether to be abstinent. Use the decision-making skill cues to write down how they can best decide whether to become sexually active.
  3. Option: Have students work individually to complete the worksheet.
    Option: Assign students to work with partners to complete the worksheet.
  4. Ask students to turn in their completed worksheets. Review worksheets to gauge student understanding and comprehension.

Challenge Activity

Have students who need an additional challenge work on the critical-thinking task that follows.

When it comes to sexual activity, what are your own expectations, your friends’ expectations, and your family’s expectations? Are your expectations the same as those of your friends and family? Write a paragraph explaining your response.

Reflection and Summary

Review the critical content from today’s lesson. Review the learning targets and ask students to answer each question posed.

Can you...

  • Explain three benefits of abstinence?

    There are no health risks (no risk of pregnancy or STD); you can choose to be abstinent whenever you want; it is free and readily available; abstinence reduces emotional problems and social problems; you can wait until you know you are ready for a sexual relationship; you want to honor your personal, moral, and religious beliefs.

  • Analyze your physical intimacy boundaries and what you will and will not do in a relationship?

    Boundaries define what behavior you will and will not accept from others. It is important to determine your boundaries and share them with your partner. These boundaries may change. If they do, you need to let your partner know what the new boundaries are.

  • Specify at least three challenges of being a teen parent?

    Day-to-day care of a child, money issues, social relationships with friends, and your own emotions about being a teen parent.

Assessment

Complete one or more of the following assessment tasks for this lesson.