What Is an Abstinence Ring?
An abstinence ring is a symbol of a teen-ager’s promise to remain a virgin until marriage. A daily reminder of the purity promise, abstinence rings are worn by both boys and girls and usually accompany taking a pledge to remain pure.
Abstinence rings, also known as purity rings, chastity rings or promise rings, are intended to be both a personal reminder to the wearer and an outward statement supporting virginity.
How Abstinence Rings Evolved
Abstinence rings originated in the United States in the early 1990s, stemming from a growing movement by Christian groups promoting sexual abstinence until marriage. Christian groups were asking teens to sign pledge cards, promising purity.
In 1996 an Arizona couple started The Silver Ring Thing, a Christian abstinence group that traveled across the country, holding seminars and asking teens to join and take an abstinence pledge. For a membership fee, members of The Silver Ring Thing get a silver ring inscribed with a Bible verse.
Abstinence rings got a boost when The Jonas Brothers, a pop band popular with young teen-age girls, announced that they all wear abstinence rings as a pledge to remain virgins until marriage.
Why an Abstinence Ring?
Wearing an abstinence ring is a daily, almost constant, reminder of the purity promise that the wearer has made.
Teen Sex Articles, Videos & HowTos
Sometimes sex is a difficult issue to discuss, especially with girls. This article may help you find ways to open the discussion with your teenager, or you could simply read it together and discuss it afterward. Use it to debate with your child.
According to a 2008 study by the Centers for Disease Control, 40% of sexually active teenage girls have an STD. Find out why these diseases spread and what parents can do to educate teens about the danger.
Abstinence education by itself isn't enough to keep teens from having sex.
Parents need to talk to their kids about sex and different types of birth control, both to explain the risks of sexual activity and to combat the rumors that may be passed around by peers.
Types of birth control fall into four different categories. Understanding the differences between them, and knowing their effectiveness in preventing pregnancy and STDs, will help you make healthy choices.
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