The Positive Choice program is funded by a Community Base Abstinence Education (CBAE) grant from the Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families. Positive Choice curriculum is consistent with the definition of abstinence education pursuant to A through H of Section 510(b)(2) of the Social Security Act. A qualitative content analysis of the Positive Choice curriculum showed that the material in the curriculum directly relates to the 13 themes and that each theme is adequately addressed. Below are the modules and activities associated with each theme.
| A through H with 13 Themes |
Module |
Activities |
| A. Has as its exclusive purpose, teaching the social,
psychological, and health gains to be realized by abstaining from sexual
activity until marriage; |
1
2
3
4 |
Definition of Abstinence and North Star; Practicing Abstinence and Still
Showing I Care; North Star, Boundaries and Dream Team; Benefits of Sex vs.
Benefits of Abstinence; Sex in Marriage; Letter Regarding Positive Choice |
| B1. Teaches abstinence from sexual activity outside marriage
is the expected standard for all school-age children; |
1
2
3
4 |
Relationships; Definition of Abstinence and North Star; Practicing Abstinence
and Still Showing I Care; One in Four; STD/Pregnancy Myths and Facts; Attitude
and Beliefs About Abstinence Until Marriage; Benefits of Sex vs. Benefits
of Abstinence; Barriers/Solutions to Practicing Abstinence; Creating a Fun
Date; The Positive Choice Review Game |
| B2. Teaches, in an age-appropriate manner, the topic
of returning to abstinence, that teens who have engaged in non-marital sexual
activity may abstain from further non-marital sexual activity, thereby reducing
potential negative psychological, health, and social consequences. |
1
2
3 |
Definition of Abstinence; The Silent Epidemic; STD/Pregnancy Myths and
Facts; Attitude and Beliefs About Abstinence Until Marriage; Benefits of
Sex vs. Benefits of Abstinence; Barriers/Solutions to Practicing Abstinence |
| C1. Teaches, in an age-appropriate manner, that abstinence
is the only certain way to avoid out-of-wedlock pregnancy; |
1
3 |
My Character Values, Goals, Boundaries and Dream Team; Benefits of Sex
vs. Benefits of Abstinence; |
| C2. Teaches, in an age-appropriate manner, that abstinence
is the only certain way to avoid the sexual transmission of STDs and related
health problems. Teaches the harmful physical effects of infection by STDs
that may result from sexual activity outside of the context of faithful
marriage. Teaches the physical health gains realized by abstaining from
sexual activity. |
1
2
3
4 |
My Character Values, Goals, Boundaries and Dream Team; STDs and Problem
Solving; The Silent Epidemic; One in Four; STD/Pregnancy Myths and Facts;
Attitude and Beliefs About Abstinence Until Marriage; Benefits of Sex vs.
Benefits of Abstinence; The Positive Choice Review Game |
| D1. Teaches that the expected standard for sexual activity
is within the context of a mutually monogamous marriage relationship between
a man and a woman. Teaches that healthy human sexuality involves enduring
fidelity, love and commitment; human happiness and well- being are associated
with a stable, loving marriage. Teaches that non-marital sex can undermine
the capacity for healthy marriage, love and commitment. Teaches that abstinence
is beneficial in preparation for successful marriage and significantly increases
the probability of a happy, healthy marriage. |
1
3
4 |
Practicing Abstinence and Still Showing I Care; Attitude and Beliefs About
Abstinence Until Marriage; Benefits of Sex vs. Benefits of Abstinence; Sex
in Marriage; The Positive Choice Review Game |
| D2. Teaches that human sexuality includes deep emotional
and psychological aspects and is not merely physical in nature. |
3
4 |
Attitude and Beliefs About Abstinence Until Marriage; Benefits of Sex
vs. Benefits of Abstinence; Sex in Marriage; The Positive Choice Review
Game |
| E1. Teaches the harmful psychological effects of sexual
activity outside the context of marriage. Teaches the psychological gains
realized by abstaining from sexual activity. |
2
3
4 |
One in Four; Benefits of Sex vs. Benefits of Abstinence; The Positive
Choice Review Game |
| E2. Teaches that teen sexual activity may have harmful
effects in addition to the effects previously mentioned in C1, C2, and E1.
Teaches that abstinence can help youth to avoid these potentially harmful
effects. |
2
3
4 |
The Silent Epidemic; Attitude and Beliefs About Abstinence Until Marriage;
Benefits of Sex vs. Benefits of Abstinence; Sex in Marriage; The Positive
Choice Review Game |
| F1. Teaches that sexual activity outside of marriage
may result in non-marital pregnancy. Teaches, in an age-appropriate manner,
that bearing children out-of-wedlock may have harmful consequences for the
child. Teaches that by abstaining from non-marital sexual activity, teens
will have increased potential to form healthy marriages that will benefit
their future children. |
2
3
4 |
Non-Marital Pregnancy; STD/Pregnancy Myths and Facts; Attitude and Beliefs
About Abstinence Until Marriage; Benefits of Sex vs. Benefits of Abstinence;
Sex in Marriage; The Positive Choice Review Game |
| F2. Teaches the potential beneficial effects of marriage
to the well-being of adults and society. Teaches, in an age-appropriate
manner, that bearing children out-of-wedlock is likely to have harmful consequences
for the child's parents and society as a whole. |
2
3
4 |
Non-Marital Pregnancy; Attitude and Beliefs About Abstinence Until Marriage;
Benefits of Sex vs. Benefits of Abstinence; Sex in Marriage; The Positive
Choice Review Game |
| G1. Teaches the importance of goal setting and future-oriented
thinking as a means of promoting sexual abstinence. Teaches the importance
of personal character in deciding to remain sexually abstinent. Teaches
the value of building and maintaining healthy relationships that are free
from sexual involvement. |
1
2
3
4 |
Definition of Abstinence and North Star; North Star, Boundaries and Dream
Team; My Character Values, Goals, Boundaries and Dream Team; The Silent
Epidemic; One in Four; Benefits of Sex vs. Benefits of Abstinence; Sex in
Marriage; Barriers/Solutions to Practicing Abstinence; What’s Your
Comeback – Learning Resistance Skills; Enhancing Our Negotiation Skills:
Role Play; The Positive Choice Review Game |
| G2. Teaches techniques and skills to help young people
reject sexual advances and maintain the expected standard of abstinence. |
3
4 |
Benefits of Sex vs. Benefits of Abstinence; Barriers/Solutions to Practicing
Abstinence; What’s Your Comeback – Learning Resistance Skills;
Creating a Fun Date; The Positive Choice Review Game; Enhancing Our Negotiation
Skills: Role Play |
| G3. Teaches that the use of drugs or alcohol can increase
one's vulnerability to sexual advances (including sexual exploitation or
violence). Teaches skills for avoiding high-risk situations where sexual
activity is more likely. |
3 |
Attitude and Beliefs About Abstinence Until Marriage; Barriers/Solutions
to Practicing Abstinence |
| H. Teaches the importance of attaining self-sufficiency
before engaging in sexual activity. |
3
4 |
Benefits of Sex vs. Benefits of Abstinence; Sex in Marriage; Creating
a Fun Date; Letter Regarding Positive Choice |
