Definition
Abstinence is the avoidance of sexual activity, usually referring to intercourse.
Description
Abstinence is defined as the restraint from indulging in bodily activities that are experienced as giving pleasure. In medical settings this usually refers to drugs, alcohol, and most often sexual activity. Depending on the perspective, abstinence from sex can mean that all sexual activities are avoided, but it can also mean that only sexual intercourse is avoided. Abstinence is also considered a form of contraception; in fact it is the only form of contraception that prevents pregnancy with a 0 % failure rate. Abstinence also prevents the spread of sexually transmitted infections.
In recent years, the issue between abstinence-only sex education and comprehensive or abstinence plus sex education has been widely debated. An abstinence-only sex education program focuses on promoting abstinence from sex until marriage due to the possibility of pregnancy and the spread of sexually...
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References and Further Readings
About D.A.R.E. (2016). D.A.R.E.. Retrieved 4 Jan 2016, from http://www.dare.com/home/about_dare.asp
Abstinence. (2016). Planned parenthood. Retrieved 4 Jan 2016, from http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/birth-control/abstinence-4215.htm
Abstinence and Sex Education. (2016). Avert. Retrieved 4 Jan 2016, from http://www.avert.org/abstinence.htm
Kohler, P. K., Manhart, L. E., & Lafferty, W. E. (2008). Abstinence-only and comprehensive sex education and the initiation of sexual activity and teen pregnancy. Journal of Adolescent Health, 47(5), 344–351.
Ott, M. A., & Santelli, J. S. (2007). Abstinence and abstinence-only education. Current Opinion in Obstetrics and Gynecology, 19(5), 446–452.
Satcher, D. (2001). Prevention and intervention. In Youth violence, a report of the surgeon general. Retrieved 4 Jan 2016, from http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/youthviolence/chapter5/sec4.html#IneffectivePrimaryPrevention
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Baumann, L.C., Ylinen, A. (2016). Abstinence. In: Gellman, M., Turner, J. (eds) Encyclopedia of Behavioral Medicine. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6439-6_77-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6439-6_77-2
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Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-6439-6
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