CHARACTER-BASED ABSTINENCE UNTIL MARRIAGE EDUCATION

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Parent Information

Yes, Abstinence Is Possible.

Begin age-appropriate talks with your child about abstinence as early as age 8.  Encourage them to wait until they are in a committed, monogamous, marital relationship.  Parents who begin talking to their young children about character, morals and values counteract the messages in movies, TV and music.  Children benefit from watching what you do and don't do and what you say and don't say. 

• Be a positive role model.
• Remember young people imitate you.
• Talk to them.
• Listen to them.
• Take the time to make children feel that you have enough time for them.
• Be open, talking about anything means they will be more likely to talk about everything.
• Help children find friends who are positive role and goal models.
• Make sure the places that children go are safe.
• Discover their dreams.
• Help young people verbalize and establish realistic short and long term goals.
• Be involved in their education.
• Give them a moral education.
• Let them know that you believe Abstinence until Marriage is best and why.
• Make sure they know where you stand with issues such as tobacco, drugs and alcohol.
• Set and enforce established rules concerning tobacco, drugs and alcohol.
• Teach them that all actions have consequences and they are responsible for their actions.

Character

People cannot grow in character unless they have an understanding of what character is and what core values they believe in. 

• HONESTY: being sincere and truthful; your actions match your word, also called integrity.
• RESPECT: to show consideration and appreciation and to avoid violation of; honoring people and caring about their rights.
• COURAGE: the ability to face danger or hardship with confidence and bravery; trying new things and trying again if you fail.
• SELF-CONTROL: controlling yourself and your behavior despite how you feel; creating order and structure in your life.
• JUSTICE: being in accordance with rules, logic or ethics and acting in a proper way; people receive what they deserve; standing up for your rights and the rights of others.
• HUMILITY: humble; not considering yourself more important than others; a willingness to accept correction when you are wrong and learning from its lesson; doing your best without attracting attention to yourself.
• RESPONSIBILITY: being ethically accountable for the welfare and care of another; being answerable for your own behavior.
• KINDNESS: having or showing a tender, considerate, friendly, generous or warm-hearted nature to people, animals and the environment.
  

You can help children learn about character by: 

• Set good examples: Teach through your example: By doing the right thing and telling them why you choose to do this over other options…Identify the character trait that you have displayed.  
• Set high standards and clear expectations. 
• Coach: guide them to use good character. 
• Use literature.