Today, the media, policy makers, educators, and parents are all talking about abstinence. Unfortunately, these groups often do not define the term or assume a singular, limited definition. However, each group and possibly each individual have a different definition of the word. In this environment of confusion and miscommunication, it is essential when communicating with youth about abstinence that adults define the term according to their own meaning and communicate their definition to the youth. This lesson explores the many meanings of abstinence and helps participants develop their own definition for the word.