The Marcolian

Issue date: 9/25/08 Section: Viewpoints

Choosing to save sex until marriage is never a bad idea. But let's be honest-you don't find many individuals holding off on sexual intimacy on your typical college campus.

Granted, that may be because the people who choose to remain abstinent aren't always considered the most fun. Sure, they're great to take home to meet Mom and Dad, but they're probably not the people you'd want to go out with on Saturday night. And while it may sound like a stereotypical comment, that unfortunately tends to be what society believes about the few who are taking a stand for abstinence. But maybe, just maybe, the people choosing to wait for sex are actually smarter than they're given credit for.

Think about it: Not only are they free of various sexually transmitted diseases, but they're also saving themselves the emotional trauma that can result from a sexual relationship that's deteriorated. Because, whether or not we want to admit it, sex isn't just a physical connection. It's emotional, too. If you ask me, holding off on this kind of activity until you find someone who has promised to share his or her future with you sounds pretty intelligent.

Lately, a person's decision to remain sexually inactive is becoming more visible. Sometimes, a student wears a purity ring (also called a promise ring) to indicate his or her commitment to abstinence. Usually, the band is worn on the ring finger of the left hand and serves as a reminder to the wearer of his or her commitment to sexual purity. These rings have gotten tons of publicity lately, thanks to the Jonas Brothers.

But the plug for purity rings isn't stopping there. An event called the Silver Ring Thing is popping up in cities all over the country, promoting abstinence and challenging students to make a commitment to sexual purity. This concert-like event includes a stage with video and music components, as well as a separate parent session. And the best part is the Silver Ring Thing came to Parkersburg, W. Va.

The Parkersburg event took place on Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. in Parkersburg High School. Doors opened around 6 p.m., and tickets were free. Students also had the option of purchasing a purity ring for $20.

Zach Powell, minister to students at Vienna Baptist Church in West Virginia, said that the program reminds students that the intimacy that comes with sex isn't meant to be shared with just anyone.

It's true. While remaining abstinent does protect from sexually transmitted diseases and emotional heartbreak, those aren't the most important reasons to wait.

Saving sex until marriage means that you will be able to give your spouse an incredibly special gift: all of yourself. And that's something worth waiting for.

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