Jodi Parrish
We live in a society saturated with sex and teens today face a lot of temptation but a new trend has more and more young people pledging purity. 7's Anne Allred has the story.
From the movie screen to magazines, to the campaign trail, there's a lot of attention on teens and sex.
In Massachusetts, a group of Gloucester girls made national news when a high school principal claimed they made an agreement to all get pregnant.
But not all young people are saying "Yes" to sex. A growing number of teens are choosing chastity.
Rebecca Spataro, 17
"It's really important for people to know to wait until they are married to have sex."
John DeBlock, 16, Easton, MA
"Why throw yourself away to people you won't even know in 20 years."
And these two teens aren't alone.
Many of this generation's young celebs are doing it. The Jonas brothers proudly wear silver rings- symbolizing abstinence. Joe Jonas,18, explained the rings represent "promises to ourselves and to God that we'll stay pure till marriage."
Hannah Montana's Miley Cyrus, and American Idol winner Jordin Sparks have also made a vow with their virginity.
Organizations like "True Love Waits" and "The Silver Ring Thing" are also making abstinence attractive.
Denny Pattyn, Founder, Silver Ring Thing
"I think it's this generation's way of saying I want to try something new, so they are trying the abstinence idea."
Silver Ring Thing boasts almost 300,000 members worldwide. It describes itself as "a para-church youth ministry that promotes the message of abstinence until marriage."
More than 600 teens and parents took part in this pledging event in Connecticut .
There's live music, comedy sketches and role playing.
The highlight of the evening---the teens take a vow of purity, and sign a pledge to their parents. It's only then they can receive their special silver ring, to serve as a constant reminder of their promise to remain pure.
Founder Denny Pattyn points out parents must commit as well.
Denny Pattyn, Founder, Silver Ring Thing
"Parents are the number one reason a kid keeps his abstinence decision."
Parents at the event agreed.
Dwight Mason and daughter Laurel
"We want to follow what we consider God's plan for our teenage daughter and that is to wait until she is married."
And one Easton Mom says her daughter made a vow years ago that she still honors.
Lynn Payne, Jordan's mom
"She put it on in the eighth grade, and she's still wearing it, she's kept that commitment. She's in college now, and she dates, however, she's set those boundaries so she's just hanging in there for someone she thinks is worth it"
Some child experts say it's not enough to expect teens to rely on a promise.
There needs to be education and open communication about sex.
Then a teen can better decide whether or not to "pledge purity." Anne Allred, 7News.
(Copyright (c) 2008 Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
