I'm a senior in high school and an active teen leader in the "I Can" program, an abstinence program in which we teach young 7th and 8th graders to abstain. We talk about life goals and future aspirations.

With all that's going on around us, one of the hardest jobs in the world is being a teenager. In today's society decision-making is very vital because there are so many things out there that influence us. Knowing that we're going to be held accountable for our actions makes us think twice about our responses and our reactions. You never know who's watching you or who you affect with what you do.

Before I became a teen leader, I really hadn't noticed that and hadn't paid much attention to decision-making. But when I found out I was going to be a teen leader and was going to teach kids about abstinence, about planning for the future, it was a shock to me. I found it was a very large responsibility. Knowing kids were going to be sharing their personal experiences, feelings, home situations with me, I formed a spiritual bond, and a convenant bond, with them which I share with many of the students. They look up to me now, so I know I have to obtain a certain decorum and act a certain way because if not they are going to follow my steps.

We talk to them about abstinence, the consequences of having pre-marital sex, the good and the bad from it; that it is honorable, but only in marriage, not before. Now they look at sex as something very important, something to wait for, and realize the effects of sex physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, psychologically, financially and more. They realize that it's never too late to make a right choice.

I'd like to challenge every teenager to be a teen leader to any and every child that you know. Because right now it's not only about who you affect, it's about your future too.

By Quentin Gatling, 12th grader

Copyright 2004
The Institute for Youth Development
P.O. Box 16560, Washington DC, 20041 703-433-1640