MASH — Michigan Association for Sexual Health

Mission Statement:

To unify and empower individuals and organizations that promote youth sexual health and the prevention of risky behaviors.

Statement of Beliefs

We Believe:

1. That sexual abstinence is the only 100% effective way to prevent sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancy.
2. That sexual abstinence outside of marriage is a positive and healthy lifestyle.
3. That abstinence is appropriate for every unmarried person and diverse methods and messengers are required to meet diverse audiences.
4. That advocates of abstinence must evaluate the abstinence message to ensure its relevance and effectiveness for its intended audience.
5. That medically accurate research and best practices are essential to effectively deliver the abstinence message.
6. That harmful risky behaviors are frequently interconnected and should be uniformly discouraged.
7. That parents should be the primary sex educator and source of values in their child’s life.
8. That children do best with a married mother and father in the home.
9. That the abstinence community needs a united voice as well as the voice of individuals and organizations in local communities.
10. That partnering with individuals and organizations within local communities is an effective way to meet the unique needs of each community.