Introduction
Introduction
In 2001, we were privileged to develop and publish A.C. Green’s Game Plan in conjunction with NBA “Ironman” A.C. Green. The response to Game Plan has been extremely positive, and with many schools expressing a desire for further programs, we commenced work on an additional resource for high school students that would reinforce the message of Game Plan.
The result of this effort is Navigator , a text with more mature content including information on the increased risks for sexual activity that come with the usage of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs as well as a section detailing the particular dangers involved in internet pornography and sex-themed internet chat. Since teens are being barraged with sexualized images and messages, we have found it necessary to include these issues to inform teens and encourage them to choose abstinence until marriage as the healthiest choice.
Rather than focus solely on the negative factors involved in pre-marital sexual activity, we have again sought to accentuate the positive benefits to be gained through sexual abstinence. Students understand that the self-control that enables them to remain abstinent until marriage is the same self- control that is necessary to accomplish their academic and professional goals. In short, self-control is a critical factor in seeking to live a healthy and balanced life.
As we write, there is much good news to report in the area of abstinence education. With the success of Game Plan and Navigator, we have continued to develop additional programs to include Quest and Aspire. As these programs and others continue to spread to classrooms around the country and increasing numbers of school teachers present the abstinence message, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that rates of teen abstinence are at an all-time high with 72% of high students listed as “not currently sexually active.” Teen sexual activity, teen pregnancy, teen births, and teen abortions all continue to decline and are now at all-time recorded lows. This is a clear trend over the past three decades. Teens are very open to a clear message on the benefits of abstinence until marriage.
In addition to the welcome news that most high school students are not currently sexually active, among those who have had sex, a significant majority (66%) regret their decision and wish that they had
waited. Navigator seeks to help sexually active students realize that past choices need not cause them to forfeit the opportunity to make healthy choices in the future. Abstinence offers freedom for all students – especially those who have already experienced some of the negative consequences of sexual activity prior to marriage.
We trust that Navigator will be of great assistance in your efforts to effectively communicate the message that saving sex until marriage is one of the best decisions that a person can make in securing a healthy and successful future. For additional resources, please see www.SuccessSequence.com.
Scott Phelps