Toward an Integrative Virtue-Based Model of Abstinence Education: Three Abstinence-Only Programs Through the Cardinal Moral Virtues

Abstract

Educating students in sexual risk avoidance has been a topic of much debate over the past few decades. Studies have shown numerous benefits for adolescents who choose abstinence and various abstinence education programs have been developed for use within school settings. The choice to live an abstinent lifestyle requires strengths of character and development of virtue within young people. The four cardinal moral virtues of prudence (wisdom), justice, fortitude (courage), and temperance (self-control) are recognized as essential to living a flourishing life within the fields of philosophy, theology, and positive psychology. The philosophical and theological conceptualizations of these four virtues lend a much fuller understanding to the psychological counterparts of these essential virtues and their role in enabling and strengthening students’ capacities to commit to abstinence. This dissertation reviewed the instructional manuals for three abstinence-only programs targeted towards middle schoolers ( Heritage Keepers Abstinence Education, A.C. Green’s Game Plan program, and the Sex Can Wait program) for incorporation of the virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance, along with their associated virtues and character strengths. This dissertation also sought to enrich the analysis of virtue training contained in these programs by also examining the programs through the thirteen dynamic dimensions of virtue identified in the Catholic-Christian Meta-Model. Promotion of each of the four cardinal virtues and incorporation of various dimensions of virtue were seen within each of the programs reviewed, to varying degrees. Finally, this dissertation discusses a way of combining elements of each of the reviewed programs, as well as new elements in order to create a new program more consistent both with traditional virtue theory, positive psychology, and a Catholic Christian understanding of virtue, vocation, and marriage and family life.