Who
We Are
High School is not an easy place to stay abstinent but IT CAN BE DONE!
So you think you already have what it takes to say “No”?! Well let’s
see…
What would
you say if your boyfriend or girlfriend tried one of these lines:
- “I have already gotten tested and I don’t have anything…just trust me.”
- “Come on…you won’t regret it!”
- “Don’t worry you are on the pill.”
- “STDs aren’t that common, we can have ‘safe sex’.”
- “If you loved me, you would…”
- “I have a condom…don’t worry about it.”
- “Don’t worry, you won’t get pregnant.”
These lines might sound easy to refuse now but if you don’t know WHY you are waiting, I promise you…you could FALL! So start thinking NOW before you get into a relationship and a tempting situation.
So let’s set some of those boundaries now! HOW FAR IS TOO FAR?! Take a look at the 9 STEPS OF INTIMACY and figure out where YOUR boundary is. I promise it is a LOT easier to set boundaries BEFORE you go over to his/her house when their parents are gone!.
Try these Practical Pointers for Dating:
Group Dating
- With a group of peers who share your values and boundaries. You don’t want to be in a group who are pairing off and pressuring sexual situations.
- Also, group dating could include meeting for dinner or coffee at a public place. That way you can talk and get to know one another without the temptation of being alone.
Date for the Right Reasons!
- Why do most of your friends get into relationships?
- Why SHOULD we get into relationships?
- Relationships that are entered for the right reasons usually end much better!
Only Date “Marriage Material.”
- There are some characteristics that you KNOW you want in a husband or wife…THEY ARE CALLED STANDARDS!
- For instance, you don’t have to date 10 people to know you want someone who is truthful and respectful.
- Make a list of characteristics that you HAVE TO HAVE in a husband or wife
- Then when a guy/girl approaches you, WAIT and get to know if they meet your standards…if they don’t, THEY AREN’T WORTH IT!
Don’t Put Yourself into Tempting Situations. Why invite TROUBLE in?!!?
- Don’t go to their bedroom to hang out. (What is the main piece of furniture in a bedroom?!)
- Don’t go on long drives late at night.
- Don’t go to their house when no one is home.
- Don’t go to the movies alone. (esp. a scary movie)
- Don’t have late night conversations especially those that include the topic of sex!
- Be careful with internet conversations
Make your BOUNDARIES known UPFRONT- before the situation arises!
- Boundaries are no good if we don’t ever set them…so 1st make sure you know your boundary and have someone to hold you accountable.
- IF YOU DON’T SET YOUR BOUNDARIES....YOU WILL GO TOO FAR!
- Someone you SHOULD date, will RESPECT and SHARE your boundaries, not pressure you into changing them.
Create a Foundation of Friendship First.
- Too many of us jump into relationships without really even knowing the person!
- If you don’t even know who they are, how do you know you want to date them?
- A strong friendship foundation is what keeps a good relationship together.
Beware of Drugs and Alcohol
- Teens who drink are 7 TIMES more likely to have sex than those that don’t!
- 75% of all first time sexual encounters involved drugs and/or alcohol.
- Drugs and alcohol also impair your judgment and can put you more at risk for sexual assault.
Listen to those you love…they usually aren’t ALL wrong!
- Our friends and family are the ones that love us and want only the best for us…so why is it when it comes to relationships, we think they must all be wrong???
- Have you ever advised a friend to get out of a relationship and they continue to go back to it and you are the one picking up the pieces?
It is Never Too Late!
- You can always start over and make good choices now! Even if you have lost your virginity…make a commitment now to wait until you are married to have sex again. Make that beautiful bond of sex SPECIAL again!