Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 25 January 2002 — Page 3

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25,2002

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

PAGE A3

Teens chose abstinence from sex before marriage

By OSEYE T. BOYD Staff Writer Jocellyn Ford, Shawn Whitehom and Eric Biggerstaff have decided sex can wait. The three teens choose to remain abstinent. “I choose abstinence because in the Bible it teaches us that our body is a temple for God, and it should remain pure. I can do that by remaining abstinent until I get married,” says 17-year-old Ford. While Ford and Whitehom, 14, cite religious convictions as the main reason to say no to sex, others like Biggerstaff feel the future is too bright to dim by having sex. “The reason why I choose to abstain from sex is I have a lot of things in my near future that are coming up, and I didn’t want anything to hold me back from that. The neighborhood I live in is not the best, and I want to have a better future,” says Biggerstaff, who is 18. Not only are these teens choosing not to have sex until marriage, they’re sharing their commitment to abstinence with younger students through the Peers Educating Peers (PEP) About Positive Values. Eve Jackson developed the PEP curriculum in 1994 and in 2000 the program received funding from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to

create the Peers Educating and Encouraging Responsible Sexuality (PEERS) Project, which expanded the PEP program throughout Indiana. “We talk a lot about respecting yourself, feeling good about yourself, respecting your body (and) setting goals. Our motto is abstain from sex to attain your goals,” Jackson said. Peer educators speak to junior high school students in schools and also in various after school programs or community programs. The teens share their personal stories about why they choose to abstain from sex and also educate the younger students on the risks of having sex. Instead of adults preaching or talking down to the students, peers are trained to teach the lessons. “We empower high school-aged role models. It really helps the younger middle school kids who are looking for heroes, looking for people to emulate, and typically the ones they’re emulating are the ones on television. It really encourages young people to know i can be cool. I can be popular. I can have a life, and I don’t have to do these things. I can get involved in positive things,”’ says Jackson. Teaching responsibility is the goal of the PEERS Project said area coordinator Angela Dearman. “We teach them to be responsible for the actions. Basically stud-

ies show how you put your life at risk as soon as you get involved sexually; the risk of STD’s, teen pregnancy. There’s a lot of emotional baggage to carry around if you have a lot of partners. It ultimately hinders goals if you have sex,” Dearman said. Since she is ultimately responsible for her own actions. Ford says she doesn’t let her peers who are sexually active influence her. She also doesn’t date because she doesn’t want to be in a compromising situation. Although Whitehom dates, he talked with his girlfriend up front about his convictions. Since she has the same beliefs, sex is not an issue. According to Jackson data shows that the majority of teens are not having sex. Brandon Perry, a 21 -year-old IUPUI student, agrees. Perry, a Christian, did not participate in the PEERS Project, but he also chooses to abstain because of his beliefs. He offers a word of advice for those on the precipice. “Don’t buy into the argument that everybody’s doing it because everybody’s not. Find something you’re passionate about in terms of a hobby or special interest and pursue that,” Perry said. For more information on the PEERS Project call 592-4015.

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Top 5 tips for parents to prevent sexual activity

1. Be a good role model. Share your values. Model self-respect and kindness for others. Spend quality/ quantity time. 2. Build a strong relationship. Listen as well as talk. 3. Have clearly stated rules. Follow through. Supervise your teen’s activities and get to know their friends. 4. Encourage active participa-

tion in a faith-based organization. Character and personal convictions help young people exercise more self-control. 5. Help your child set goals for the future. Teach them to be responsible for their actions — getting to school on time, family responsibilities, completing homework, etc. Source: The PEERS Project

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