For a third, it may mean avoiding any personal contact with interesting others. Now ask the group about the effectiveness of abstinence. Explain contraceptive effectiveness rates. Discuss typical and perfect user rates. Explain that every method can fail, mostly due to human error.
People forget to take pills or use condoms incorrectly.
Abstinence also fails when not used consistently. Ask participants what makes abstinence work. Write their suggestions on the newsprint. Ask for discussion about each item and how it may contribute to the effectiveness of abstinence. Ask participants what makes abstinence fail.