Purity Rings - Teens Choosing Abstinence

In case you haven't heard yet from your local (or resident) junior high and high school kids, the latest trendy item is the purity ring.

A lot of the girls have them and some of the boys are wearing them too.
Even the latest preteen musical group sensation, The Jonas Brothers, wears them. So, you ask, what is a purity ring? The concept of the purity ring was originated in the United States in the early 1990's by Christian and affiliated sexual abstinence groups. The ring is a symbol of the wearer's vow to abstain from sex until marriage.

The ring is usually worn on the left ring finger to serve as a constant reminder to remain abstinent until it is replaced with a wedding ring.
There are many styles of purity rings.
Those worn by Christians may include a cross in the design as a reference to Jesus Christ.

Yet others are designed with a butterfly, a flower, or engraved with "True Love Waits", "Vow of Purity", or another similar saying. Some of the more expensive rings may include a diamond or other gemstone.
In addition, you may also find other purity jewelry with the same symbols and sayings.
There are necklaces, dog tags, and wrist bands available. Purity jewelry usually comes with a Vow of Purity Certificate that the wearer can sign and frame.

Some people believe that teenagers will be teenagers and that we should just give in and tell them as long as they are practicing safe sex that's the best we can hope for.
That certainly is the easy way out, but what are we teaching our children about self respect and self restraint? I applaud any effort that tries to teach our children self respect, and the purity ring is an excellent symbolic and every day reminder of the values we should hold in high esteem.
If you're a parent and looking for a way to broach the subject of abstinence with your teenager, consider asking them about purity rings.

What your child knows about purity rings may tell you much about what they know and feel about the subject of teen sex.

It can be a great conversation starter for a subject that can be very uncomfortable for both the child and the parent to discuss.

You may want to stress that the purity ring is a great way for your son or daughter to express their moral beliefs right on their ring finger.