Abayomi "Wait Up"! Abstinence Program

Complete sexual abstinence is the most effective means of preventing HIV infection, pregnancy, and sexually transmitted infections. Abstinence offers adolescents, in particular, a number of advantages because it requires no supplies or clinic visits.

However, it does require strong social support from community members and the development of specific skills, including a high degree of motivation, self-control, and communication.

Most importantly, it is a collaboration with the young people whose lives it is designed to improve. But it also includes the energy, insight, and experience of parents, school teachers, employers, policymakers, the media, health professionals, nongovernmental organizations, religious and community leaders, and other youth networks.

Our program promotes respect for parental values and encourages communication between students and parents.

• Provide students with adequate and accurate knowledge of human sexuality.

• Help students clarify and appreciate their values and attitudes as they relate to the family and sexuality.

• Enhance students’ self-esteem.

• Increase students’ skills in decision-making and communication.

Messages for Youth about Abstinence

Be clear about why you want to wait

List your reasons.

Talk them over with someone who supports you.

Check your list from time to time to remind yourself.

Have a plan

Know what situations might make it hard to stick with your choice.

Decide ahead of time what you’ll do to avoid or deal with them,

such as leaving a scene when being pressured to have sex.

Be impressed with yourself

It can be hard to go against the crowd and make your own choices.

Give yourself credit. You deserve it.

Notice the pressures

Pay special attention to messages in music, videos, and movies

telling you to have sex.

Get support

Hang out with friends who know about and respect your decisions.

Avoid people who might pressure you.

If pressured, threaten to tell someone in authority

(a relative, police).

Practice communication skills

Learn to say "No!" emphatically or "No, no, no" repeatedly.

Give a reason such as "I’m not ready" or "I’ve decided to wait until

I’ve achieved my academic goals."

Turn the tables:

"You say that if I love you I would, but if you really

love me, you wouldn’t insist."

For more information, call (313) 541-9828.

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