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Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science pp 1–2Cite as

Abstinence

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Synonyms

Pregnancy prevention; Sobriety

Definition

The practice of restraining from a particular behavior.

Introduction

Abstinence is a broad term that can cover many different behaviors that one may wish to avoid indulging. Although this term can be used in several contexts, abstinence in regards to sexual intercourse will be the focus. Largely used as a personal strategy to avoid pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), it is often associated with the avoidance of vaginal intercourse but can also include the avoidance of all sexual activity. Individuals will often have varying definitions of what is considered to be abstinence, but they ultimately have the same goal in mind.

Abstinence in Sex Education

The topics discussed in sex education is a controversial issue. Assuming that the sex education provided in schools is a driving force behind sexual lifestyles, the information that is taught within these courses should be scrutinized. Guidelines for this information are not...

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References

  • Carr, J. B., & Packham, A. (2016). The effects of state-mandated abstinence-based sex education on teen health outcomes. Health economics.

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  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2016). Reproductive health: Teen pregnancy. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/teenpregnancy/

  • 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, 42(4), 344–351.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA

    Susan Himes

Authors
  1. Susan Himes
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Susan Himes .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Oakland Univ Dept of Psycholgy, Rochester, Michigan, USA

    Viviana Weekes-Shackelford

  2. Department of Psychology, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan, USA

    Todd K. Shackelford

  3. Rochester, Michigan, USA

    Viviana A. Weekes-Shackelford

Section Editor information

  1. University of South Carolina - Beaufort, Bluffton, SC, USA

    Carey Fitzgerald

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© 2016 Springer International Publishing AG

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Cite this entry

Himes, S. (2016). Abstinence. In: Weekes-Shackelford, V., Shackelford, T., Weekes-Shackelford, V. (eds) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_2456-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_2456-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-16999-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Behavioral Science and PsychologyReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences

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