 "Photo: Bryan Young/The Daily Northwestern")
The small silver band on Jeniece Fleming's left ring finger is no ordinary ring. It's a vow of abstinence.
"It's an effective way to spread hope. People ask me all the time what the ring is for, and I get an opportunity to explain to them my decision," Fleming said.
She pledged abstinence during her sophomore year of high school. Her ring, engraved with the words "Worth the Wait," proclaims to others her decision to remain abstinent until marriage, but also serves as a reminder for herself.
The SESP freshman is involved in the recently popular abstinence movement called Silver Ring Thing. Based in Pittsburgh, the movement has teams located in major cities across the nation that put on live shows, including skits, video and music.
"Our vision is to create a culture shift in America where abstinence becomes the norm again rather than the exception," said Denny Pattyn, president and founder of SRT.
Supported by federal funding, many abstinence movements like SRT, True Love Waits and Wanting An Individual To Trust (WAITT) are gaining momentum among teens, the groups say.
"When MTV sends Christina Aguilera to interview us, you know we're hitting the right buttons," Pattyn said.
Most programs offer stylish rings, and some sell other merchandise, such as T-shirts, bracelets and necklaces promoting decisions on abstinence.
The groups are trying to reach out to college students. But some Northwestern students said they are skeptical of the programs' success at universities, where one study estimates 56 percent of students are sexually active.
Students said because college is a more liberal environment, sex is regarded more casually than in high school, a fact that may limit the influence of abstinence programs.
Daniela Bloch, a Medill freshman, said thoughts on sex change drastically from high school to college.
"Remaining abstinent is hard in an environment based on sex and alcohol," she said. "(In college) no one really thinks of sex in a momentous, life-altering, 'wait until marriage' way. It's more of a common occurrence."
The abstinence movements are probably less effective among college students, said Michael Bailey, a professor of psychology who teaches Human Sexuality.
"On one hand, you might think that the people who are still virgins in college have been (abstinent) longer and are more committed," Bailey said. "But on the other hand, there are so many more freedoms in college, including sexual freedom, that it might be harder for people to sustain that."
Weinberg senior Samuel Yang, president of the Multiethnic Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, said abstinence programs are useless.
"Just because someone goes to a big, spiritual event and decides to put on a ring doesn't mean they'll stay committed to abstinence," he said. "The only way to do that is through discipleship and accountability."
Still, students such as Fleming support abstinence movements and their causes.
"These programs are not about creating shame but about celebrating what people believe," said Communication sophomore Allyson Jacobs, whose mother played a key role in bringing the SRT movement to Europe.
Jacobs said she believes the success rate will be higher for college students because they aren't forced to join the programs by parents.
Jacobs also said SRT is a good way for those who wish to remain abstinent to meet others.
"Our culture is so sexual, there aren't many people who plan to abstain and they get stereotyped as prudes," she said. "It's a great network for people to share experiences and opinions."
Reach Grace Bahk at jiye-bahk@northwestern.edu.
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