Look closely and you can see that the moral pendulum has arced and is making a slow but perceivable swing back from total moral degradation. Perhaps the widely publicized antics of Britney Spears and Paris Hilton have had a positive role model effect on young women. As the old saying goes, "Everyone has a purpose, even if it only to serve as a bad example."
Just recently in a Sacramento resort club, a fashion show was held that featured modest themed fashions from casual wear to prom dresses, brides-to-be and bridesmaids dresses. The fashions were modeled by teens from the local churches that sponsored the event. The modest clothing allows something to be left to the imagination and permits many young ladies to live in accordance to their religious beliefs. A growing number of retail stores and online websites are offering fashions that are more modest.
Purity rings were introduced in the 1990’s to encourage abstinence from premarital sex. The ring is worn on the ring finger of the left hand as a reminder of one’s commitment to remain pure until marriage when it is replaced with wedding rings. The rings are sometimes embossed with the words "True Love Waits" or they may have crosses or gemstones embedded in them. The rings are worn by both genders and are worn on chains around the neck as well as on the finger. Purity rings are still popular almost two decades after introduction and can be found in retail stores as well as many online Christian websites.
Contrary to the common sexual scenes displayed in movies and on television, chastity for its own sake is struggling to make a comeback. Parents are swimming against the media tide to instill the virtue of chastity in their children. On an ironic note, being celibate is one way for youth to rebel against the mores of their peers and stand out from the promiscuous crowd. For those teens who were introduced to Christian values through a friend and whose parents were part of the free love generation, chastity can be a form of rebellion at home also.
The "New Virginity," as the movement for chastity has been called, is not only for teens. Many formerly sexually active adults have joined the quest for purity and the phenomenon is known as "secondary virginity." While it is impossible to change one’s past, it is possible to commit your life to a purer and healthier lifestyle as you wait for the perfect mate that God has in store for you.
Just as polio was wiped out in one generation after the polio vaccine was introduced, so can sexually transmitted diseases be wiped out in just one generation of purity and chastity. That may take a while to get society as a whole onboard with the purity movement. In the mean time, wear modest looking clothing and encourage teens and young adults to wear a purity ring as a reminder of their commitment to lead chaste Christian lives.
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