Empowering young people to make informed decisions for healthy relationships.

What is Abstinence?

Sexual Abstinence is choosing not to engage in sexual activity, any type of sexual stimulation, until marriage, regardless of the past.

What is "No Messin' Around?"

Two unique programs for students geared toward postponing sexual involvement until marriage using curriculum by Project Reality* - Middle School (7th & 8th grades) & High School (9th-12th grades).

How long is the "No Messin' Around" Program?

Both the middle school and high school programs are designed to run in four class sessions with forty minutes per class. The programs can be adapted to fit the needs of your classroom and your time constraints.

What does "No Messin' Around" teach?

A-H compliant with federal standards for abstinence education

Abstinence from sexual activity is the only certain way to avoid pregnancy, STD’s and other health problems
Abstinence is the standard for school age children and teens
Sexual activity is best when enjoyed in a mutually faithful monogamous relationship in the context of marriage
Sexual activity outside of marriage is likely to have harmful psychological and physical effects
Having children before marriage is more likely to have harmful consequences for the child and the child’s parents
There are social, psychological, and health benefits to be gained from sexual abstinence
How to resist and reject sexual advances
How alcohol and drug use increases vulnerability to sexual advances
Importance of focusing on goals and planning for the future

Who are the Peer Presenters?

A dedicated team of local high school and college-aged students committed to and practicing abstinence. Also known as "The A-Team."

What are the benefits of "No Messin' Around?"

Applies to all students; anyone can choose to be abstinent regardless of past choices
Learn from peer presenters in a classroom setting
Program can be changed to meet your groups’ needs
Students interact with peer presenters
Hands-on demonstrations
Visual aids and handouts
Teaches students self-worth
Emphasizes importance of setting goals and focusing on them
Allows students to make informed decisions based on facts
Character based, fact based, reality based
Emphasizes respect of self and for others

Does Abstinence Education really work?

The increase in abstinence is the major cause of the declining birth rates, pregnancy rates and abortions among single teenage girls. This study is the most extensive study done on birth and pregnancy rates of single and married teens 15-19 years old. The research showed that 67% of the decline in pregnancy is due to a reduction in the proportion of sexually active girls, not to the increased use of contraception. The decrease in births dropped 51% due to abstinence. 1
From 1990-1997 there was a 21.4% decrease in the proportion of adolescent males who have had sex in the past three months, a 34.1% decline in those males having four or more partners, and a 19.6% decline in the males who have ever had sex. 2
In 2001, 54% of US High school students reported never having had sexual intercourse, up from 46% in 1991.

Has condom education proven effective?

Out-of-wedlock birthrates to sexually experienced female teens increased 40.9%from 1982 - 1995, despite their increase in the use of condoms by 76%.
The Center for Disease Control's "Programs That Work" initiative features five interventions that the CDC claims are quite effective, but not one of the five has data measuring a reduction in teen pregnancy or STD rates, even though the programs were developed for those purposes.
A study of 16 programs for parenting and pregnant teens that encouraged the use of contraceptives showed the following results: only 1 succeeded in increasing contraceptive use, 6 reported a decrease in pregnancies, 5 had no change and 2 had more pregnancies among girls in the programs than girls not in them. 3

Who sponsors and funds "No Messin' Around?"

“No Messin’ Around? is a program of the STPRC and is funded by a Federal Community-Based Abstinence Education Grant through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

*Who is Project Reality?

Project Reality has been a nationally-known provider of abstinence education since 1985 - www.projectreality.org

Who is the Southern Tier Pregnancy Resource Center?

The Southern Tier Pregnancy Resource Center is an organization that seeks to present to our community the message of self-respect, healthy relationships and one’s overall health that is a result of choosing a lifestyle of sexual abstinence. Since abstinence until marriage is the healthiest option with the greatest benefits, we desire to assist educators in enhancing their sexual health program by providing exciting Abstinence Education Programs for the classroom. The STPRC has been involved in abstinence education since the late 1990s and serves both Chemung and Steuben Counties.

What are students saying about "No Messin' Around?"

"Your presentation was inspiring and made me think about my future goals...you did change someon's future and mind." 7th grade, female

"Thank you for telling us all the info on abstinence. I have chosen to be abstinent." 7th grade, male

"Thanks for the interesting talk. I learned a lot and I choose to be abstinent. Thanks for everything." 7th grade, female

"I'm now more aware of sex and you have also helped me think it through very carefully before having sex. Thank you again." 7th grade, female

"I will not have sex until I am married." 7th grade, male

"Thank you for [the] presentation. I really appreciate everything. It really changed my perspective of having sex. I am definitely going to wait." 7th grade, female

1. Adolescent and fmaily health Journal, April 2003
2. "The Declines in Adolescent Pregnancy, Birth and Abortion Rates in the 1990's: what factors are responsible?", The Consortium of State Physicians Resource Councils, 1/7/99
3. "Improving Services for Pregnant and Parenting Teens," Brindis and Philiber, PhDs., The Prevention Researcher, vol. 10, 9/03