1) What do you mean by a "chaste lifestyle?"

Merriam-Webster's dictionary strictly defines chastity as "abstention from unlawful sexual intercourse." By this definition, society has always encouraged living a chaste lifestyle.  Today, chastity can be defined as periodic abstinence from sexual activity. Married couples are a perfect example of chastity in practice. Spouses are expected to remain faithful to one another and practice chastity - they are to abstain from sexual activity outside of the marital union.

By Board Resolution, Real Alternatives adopted the A-H Guidelines set forth as part of Section 510 of Title V amending the United States Welfare Reform Act of 1996, Title V of the Social Security Act for programs teaching abstinence consistent with the definition:

Abstinence education means an educational or motivational program which:

• has as its exclusive purpose, teaching the social, psychological, and health gains to be realized by abstaining from sexual activity;
• teaches abstinence from sexual activity outside marriage as the expected standard for all school age children;
• teaches that abstinence from sexual activity is the only certain way to avoid out-of-wedlock pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and other associated health problems;
• teaches that a mutually faithful monogamous relationship in context of marriage is the expected standard of human sexual activity;
• teaches that sexual activity outside of the context of marriage is likely to have harmful psychological and physical effects;
• teaches that bearing children out-of-wedlock is likely to have harmful consequences for the child, the child's parents, and society;
• teaches young people how to reject sexual advances and how alcohol and drug use increases vulnerability to sexual advances; and
• teaches the importance of attaining self-sufficiency before engaging in sexual activity.
   

2) How does the promotion of a chaste lifestyle and abstinence resistance skills lower teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections and disease?

Abstinence resistance skills programs work most effectively in accomplishing three goals: 

• First, they delay initiation of intercourse;
• Second, they reduce the number of partners of those that were already sexually active; and
• Third, they decrease the frequency of intercourse.

Simply put, less sexual activity lowers the risk of pregnancy and STDs due to contraceptive and condom failure.

Science has shown that there is only one way for a parent to prevent their teen from becoming pregnant and from becoming infected with a sexually transmitted infection and disease....by promoting and encouraging resistance skills taught in chastity education to their children. 

3) What lessons should parents teach children before they become sexually active?

Parents know their teens and know how and when to discuss sexual activity with their children.  The key is to talk to your teen before he or she becomes sexually active.  Go over the dangers he or she faces, your expectation of them in this area, and encourage postponing sexual involvement. Explain that abstinence is in the only certain way to not get pregnant or contract a sexually transmitted disease.

4) What lessons should parents teach their children who may already be sexually active or are not sure if they are?

Talk to your teen now, even if you suspect he or she might already be sexually active. Go over the dangers with them, and encourage them to start living a chaste lifestyle. Even if you think your teen will not postpone sexual involvement, explain how decreasing the amount of times they have sex and the number of partners they have sex with can lower their risks of having to face teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections and diseases.  Let them know that contraceptives do not prevent or eliminate the risk of pregnancy or contracting a sexually transmitted disease. Share with them the information that the medical community and other researchers have found in these areas listed on this website.