Most high school students have sat through a sex education class where the teacher talks about contraception for having safe sex. Among these numerous methods, abstinence is taught as the only 100 percent effective way to prevent pregnancy or avoid getting a sexually transmitted disease (STD).

Abstinence is more than a means of conception and disease prevention; it is a life-altering decision. According to Familyfacts.org, an average of 53 percent of high school students have chosen abstinence. This includes people like senior Abby Rachor.

“I grew up in a faith-based family, and I believe in what the Bible teaches, which is the origin of my viewpoint,” Rachor said. “This choice was intended to save this special gift for my future husband.”

Those who practice abstinence are not excluded from being stereotyped. A popular stereotype about abstinence is that only women are abstinent. On the contrary, about 40 percent of men have made the commitment to wait until marriage.

“I can’t really pinpoint a date,” sophomore Justin Beemer said, “but I was raised in the church and went through confirmation. It’s just the way I was raised. My parents had an impact on my choice. I didn’t really sit down and make the decision; it was always just how it was and how it was always going to be.”

Once the decision to refrain from sex has been made, it is not easy to maintain, especially in a society that glorifies sexual intercourse. Of all Americans who choose abstinence, only about three percent are capable, or willing, to wait until marriage with any success.

“The temptation to have sex is there,” Beemer said. “It is difficult when all of your friends are doing it. It’s not an easy choice to make, and even after you have made it, it is difficult to maintain.”

Temptation is not the only issue faced by these chaste individuals. Sixty years ago, the idea of premarital sex was met with disapproval. Today the judgement falls of those who do choose to abstain.

“I understand that religion and Christianity isn’t really prevalent anymore in high school and most of my friends aren’t Christian,” Beemer said. “They don’t judge me per se, they let me be, but I sense they find it silly. I don’t let it bother me, we’re still friends for it but I do sense they do judge it and don’t understand or agree with it, and that’s okay. I have no place to tell them otherwise but I choose to stick to my beliefs rather than let their judgement affect it.”

Despite the judgement faced by these abstainers, they have no condemnations to offer to those who choose to criticize them for their personal choice.

“Peer pressure doesn’t affect my judgements because this decision is personal,” Rachor said. “It’s not my place to judge others on their personal opinions.”