There is a new and surprising fad among teenagers in the United States and Europe: the wearing of chastity rings. Chastity rings are similar to wedding rings, but they serve as a reminder to wait until marriage to have sex. Unlike chastity belts and other chastity devices, the chastity rings do not act as a physical deterrent, only as a reminder to say no.
One organization, Silver Ring Thing, promotes chastity rings and even adds to the symbol by offering a chastity pledge along with the chastity devices on the teens' fingers. According to the organization, 25,000 teens have already taken the Silver Ring Thing pledge. The founders of Silver Ring Thing believe that since chastity rings are a visual reminder, they can help teens to remember their pledge more than simply a head full of information.
Silver Ring Thing does not promote the message of traditional chastity devices, such as chastity belts. What the organization relies on is their belief that the message they are sending is one that students can't ignore. They believe that they earn the right to be heard by students through peer level messages and high-tech presentations. They believe that their presentation offers compelling reasons for students to make a stand for abstinence and the chastity rings are the visual reminders of that stand.
Another option this chastity ring promoting organization offers is an extended one. Silver Ring Thing believes that this extended option is the key piece to the program. Any student who wishes to participate with fellow teens from their area in a weekend program may apply. At the extended event, they learn more about the abstinence they have pledged with their chastity rings. They believe that with this extended program, the students will understand their chastity rings as symbols of their commitment and a reminder and message to everyone who sees it.
A big part of Silver Ring Thing's message is support. Within 48 hours of making the pledge and putting on the chastity rings, the students are asked to name an accountability partner. This person must be of the same sex. The accountability partner encourages, shares, and supports his or her decision to be abstinent until marriage.
Lastly, Silver Ring Thing works to provide what they call abstinence saturated communities. Their goal, they say, is to perform many events a year in each of their hub cities. There, students can get constant encouragement and positive assistance from their peers.
The days of chastity devices, like the most commonly known chastity belts, are over. Well, it seems to be so. However, that does not mean that chastity has lost its way in our culture completely. Teens and older singles alike are wearing chastity rings, which are the visual reminders to themselves and those around them that they have pledged abstinence before marriage. Organization like Silver Ring Thing have formed to help take these visual reminders a step forward with pledges and multiple sources of support for those taking on this vow and pledge.