How to Help Your College Kids Remain Chaste

I admit, the thought of my children becoming sexually active scares the heck out of me. The world out there is scary. When I was a teenager twenty years ago, sex was at least something that usually took place within a committed relationship (that doesn't make it right, I know, and I also know that there were certainly exceptions to that). Some of the young people I know today, however, have sex to find out if a relationship is worth pursuing with someone! I'm thinking they have the cart before the horse here. I don't understand that mindset, yet it is very prevalent. It is just expected.

I understand the strong power of hormones. I understand that people make mistakes in the heat of a moment. I'm hoping beyond hope that somehow I can convince my children that waiting is worth it, for a whole host of practical reasons, but most of all because it is the right thing to do.

Ellen Gable Hrkach has a very good article up on Catholic Mom today on How to Help Your College Kids Remain Chaste. The only thing about the article I question is discouraging dating until college or after. I don't know how realistic that expectation is. Also, what if they meet their special person younger. My parents met in high school. A couple I know married over 20 years met when they were 13. It happens. Think what would have happened if these relationships were forbidden. I don't know that there is an easy answer to when to allow children to date. I think it is something that needs to be decided on a case by case basis in light of the maturity level of those involved.