Blog Mental Health Sexual Wellness Abstinence Vs Celibacy: What’s The Difference?

Abstinence Vs Celibacy: What’s The Difference?

There are many reasons why one may choose to refrain from sex. For some, it may be a personal choice based on religious or moral beliefs. Others may do it for health reasons, such as to avoid STDs or unwanted pregnancies. There are those people who may even abstain from sex because they haven’t found the right partner yet (2). When it comes to refraining from sex, the terms abstinence and celibacy are often used interchangeably. However, there is a big difference between abstinence vs celibacy.

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Difference Between Abstinence And Celibacy

Abstinence is often considered a temporary choice, while celibacy is a lifestyle commitment. 

People who practice abstinence do not necessarily have a vow or promise to never have sex. They may choose to abstain from sex for a certain period, such as during their teenage years, before marriage, or after becoming addicted to sex. They can resume sexual activity when the time is right. 

In contrast, people who practice celibacy have made a vow or promise to never have sex in their lives. Celibacy is often practiced by religious people, such as priests and nuns. It’s rare to find people who are celibate for reasons that aren’t religious.

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Moreover, people who practice abstinence may still engage in other forms of sexual activity, such as kissing and oral sex, while celibate people abstain from all forms of sexual activity.

Similarities Between Abstinence And Celibacy

The line between abstinence and celibacy can be blurry, and there is some overlap between the two concepts

Both require:

  • Refrain from sexual intercourse
  • Self-control and willpower
  • Certain amount of self-denial
  • Ability to resist temptation and peer pressure

Read More: The Sexual Response Cycle: Here’s What Happens To Your Body And Mind When You Have Sex

abstinence vs celibacy

Does Abstinence Work?

Abstinence may have varying levels of effectiveness depending on the purpose for which it is being practiced, such as:

Prevents Teenage Pregnancy 

Teenagers are often advised to abstain until marriage to avoid becoming pregnant. In fact, virginity pledges – public or private promises to remain abstinent until marriage – have become quite popular in recent years. 

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While virginity pledge programs have been shown to slightly delay the age at which teens first have sex, they have not been shown to effectively reduce teen pregnancy rates. In fact, in one study it was noted that abstinence-only programs were positively correlated with high rates of teen pregnancy (1).  

Prevent STIs 

Abstaining from all sexual activity is the only sure way to prevent STIs (4).  However, in order for this to be effective, both partners must be abstaining. If only one partner is abstinent and the other is not, STI risks are still present.

A more effective method of STI prevention may be the use of barrier methods such as condoms. 

Prevent Emotional Pain

Abstaining from sexual activity is often advised for people who are not in a committed relationship and are not ready for the emotional consequences that can come with sexual activity. 

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These emotional consequences can include feelings of attachment, jealousy, disappointment, and anxiety. For some people, these emotions may be too much to handle, especially if they are not in a committed relationship. 

For this to work, one must also undertake other healing activities to deal with emotions, like therapy.

abstinence vs celibacy

Treat Addiction 

Abstinence is often a component of recovery programs for sex addiction and pornography addiction. The idea is that by abstaining from all sexual activity, the addict will be better able to focus on their recovery. This may include attending support groups, therapy, and learning new coping skills

While abstinence may work for some people in treatment for addiction, it is not always effective. In fact, for some people, complete abstinence may not be realistic or possible.

The abstinence violation effect (AVE) is a phenomenon in which someone who has abstained from the desired behavior for some time is more likely to engage in that behavior if they have a slip-up. This effect has been found in various behaviors, including drug use, alcohol use, smoking, and food intake (3). 

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The AVE occurs because the person feels like they have failed and their self-control is weakened. They may feel like they need to compensate for their mistake by indulging in the behavior even more. This can lead to a spiral of continued violations and further loss of self-control

The AVE is an important phenomenon to be aware of when working on any kind of abstinence-based goal. If you are trying to abstain from a certain behavior, it is important to have a plan in place for what you will do if you have a slip-up. This may include reaching out to a support system, attending a meeting, or taking some time for self-care. 

 It is also important to work with a treatment professional to create a plan that is tailored to your individual needs.

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How Do You Practice Abstinence?

There is no single way to practice abstinence since it will look different for everyone. For some people, it may mean refraining from all sexual activity (including vaginal, anal, and oral sex), while others may choose to engage in sexual activity but refrain from penetrative sex. 

Some people may also choose to abstain from sexual thoughts and activities altogether. No matter how you choose to practice abstinence, it’s important that you feel comfortable with your decision and that your partner(s) respects your choice. 

The Bottom Line

While abstinence and celibacy may be effective for some people, it is not right for everyone. It is important to decide if abstinence is right for you before making any commitments. Talk to your doctor or a trusted sexual health professional to get started.

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DISCLAIMER:

This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!

SOYRCES:

  1. Abstinence-only education and teen pregnancy rates: Why we need comprehensive sex education in the U.S. (2011, plos.org)
  2. Abstinence. TeensHealth. (2019, kidshealth.org)
  3. Abstinence violation effect. (2013, springer.com)
  4. Impact evaluation of the “not me, not now” abstinence-oriented, adolescent pregnancy prevention communications program, Monroe County, New York. (2001, nih.gov)