Parents Talk: Lolo Jones and Tim Tebow, Models of Abstinence?
When you're trying to teach your children about abstinence is an athlete or any other celebrity a good role model?
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During a television interview earlier this year, Olympian hurdler and Des Moines native Lolo Jones told the world she was a virgin.
Jones, 29, told HBO's Real Sports report Mary Carillo, "It's just something, a gift I want to give my husband. But please understand that this journey has been hard. There are virgins out there and I'm going to let them know, it's the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. Harder than training for the Olympics. Harder than graduating from college."
Jones isn't the only notable virgin in the news. Tim Tebow, quarterback for the New York Jets, has often said his Christian beliefs dictate that he abstain from having sex until marriage.
These certainly aren't the first celebrity proclamations of chastity. Jessica Simpson, the Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus, and Britney Spears (though her virgin status was later debunked by her "first" then boyfriend Justin Timberlake) claim to have all taken a vow of abstinence until marriage.
So, when teaching abstinence to your child/children, would you all right calling on the Lolo Jones and Tim Tebows of the world as examples of why it's all right to save yourself for marriage? Tell us why or why not in the comments below.
Beth Dalbey
11:40 am on Monday, July 9, 2012
Lolo Jones is an amazing athlete and person, authentic and genuine. You can't fake that kind of sincerity. You bet I'd hold her up as an example of what can be achieved through discipline – both toward her sport and her life.
Alison Gowans
5:23 pm on Monday, July 9, 2012
I applaud her dedication and her discipline, but would also point out that part of what she says is how hard it is to maintain that discipline. Doesn't mean it can't be done, but I would also want my children to have the knowledge to protect themselves if they don't end up having the self-control of an Olympian.
Joe Morr
11:31 am on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
We've looked up to athletic people all our lives. But the old days we had drinking and nowadays drugs. Why not have your parents be your best example of someone you look up to. Both my mother and father taught me many good things in growing up in this small community and I've tried to pass on these traits to my kids, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Please and thank you, respect for your elders, and many, many, oither things to long to list. It's nice to have an idol but do not put your complete trust in everything they do or say. They might fail you and think how you will feel let down.
John Morgan
11:12 am on Tuesday, July 17, 2012
No, I would not use celebrities as chastity role models for my children. There are several reasons. First, the mere fact that they've announced it to the world indicates that their not too humble. A real role model does not know he/she is a role model. Second, in too many cases (including Tebow), they have worked it into their PR campaign and branding for financial gain. Third, celebrities don't live in the real world that most people live in. Fourth, what message would that send to my child? That only celebrities can wait? Fifth, there are many much older singles still waiting in the real world who are not celebrities. Sixth, the only thing my child would know about the celebrity is what he/she sees in the media - including the tabloids. I'm over 50 and still waiting. Nobody has knocked on my door yet. Oh, I forgot. I'm not a celebrity.