Sexual Abstinence and Young People: a Subject Worthy of Consideration?

A plethora of literature questions the UK’s approach to sexual health promotion, however, in contrast to the international literature there is a dearth of research which examines how young people in the UK feel about approaches to sexual health promotion which include
abstinence. This study, therefore, aims to explore whether young people feel that adequate emphasis is placed on delaying sexual intercourse in school-based sex education and whether they feel that abstinence is something that young people would be interested in
exploring. A total of 124 18–21-year-old students completed a two item open-ended questionnaire which encouraged them to reflect on their experiences and views regarding school-based sexual health promotion. Thematic analysis demonstrated a desire among young people for greater emphasis to be placed on abstinence as a sexual
health option within school-based sex and relationship education.