Just4Girls/Just4Guys 2026-2027

JUST4GIRLS 2026-2027

Tips for Confidence Dating Decoded

Live With Purpose

You Get To Decide Life Is What You Make Of It Live With Purpose It’s difficult to be a girl in 2026…

You’re living in two demanding worlds: the real world and the online world. The pressure can build quickly between dealing with school, activities, sports, and even your home life. Never mind the complexity of relationships, both friendships and romantic ones. Or being influenced or bullied by people online.

Beneath that pressure, you have dreams and hopes for your future. You’re on a journey to become a secure, confident woman willing to work for a meaningful life. Many of the choices you make during this time of your life will affect you for years to come, both in positive and difficult ways.

Success Sequence

According to the American Enterprise Institute and the Institute for Family Studies, only 3% of people end up living in poverty if they do these three things: 1. Get a high school diploma 2. Maintain a full-time job 3. And wait until marriage to have kids This leads to a 97% chance of living free from poverty 1, 2

Table of Contents Human Life Alliance 1614 93rd Lane NE Minneapolis, MN 55449 humanlife.org | (651)484-1040 Just4Girls/Just4Guys has been produced

by Human Life Alliance since 2005. ©2026 All sources are available at j4gmagazine.com/sources

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2. Success Sequence 3. Phones and Relationships 4. Tips for Confidence 5. What’s Going On? 6. Dating Decoded / Am I Pregant?

7. Not Just A Guy Problem 8. Live With Purpose

Unplug to Reconnect: Finding Yourself Beyond the Screen

According to a recent study, these are the top five mental wellbeing problems for adolescents (13 to 17) 1 • Feelings of sadness, distress, or hopelessness • Guilt and blame • Fear and anxiety • Unwanted, strange, or obsessive thoughts • Sense of being detached from reality These problems are all associated with phone or tablet ownership at a young age.

While it’s not always possible to go completely without a cellphone, the first step to disconnecting from the screens and reconnecting with the people and world around you is awareness.

Most phones have a digital wellbeing widget that’ll show your unlocks and screen time for the day. Just seeing how many times you’ve unlocked your phone and how much time you’ve spent on it in a day can help you to manage your phone usage. Learning how to disconnect from tech and reconnect with the current moment will help you to heal your mental wellbeing and also deepen the real relationships in your life.

TIPS TO RECONNECT WITH...

YOUR LOVED ONES

YOURSELF

• • •

•

Journaling and reflection. Try setting a daily mindfulness goal, like 10 minutes.

Hobbies that involve your senses: music, sports, acting, paper and thread crafts, art, DIY projects, etc.

Think about and develop your personal convictions.

- If you are religious or spiritual, spend some time growing in your faith, praying, and reading holy books.

- If you aren’t religious, deepen your convictions that guide your life by reading and pondering books about them.

•

Hang out with friends in person and keep phones in a place where you can’t feel every buzz and hear every notification.

Engage in micro-interactions: chat between classes, talk while eating dinner, give a high five, etc.

YOUR WORLD • •

Walk out in nature, without earbuds.

Go out to fun, free, or low-cost places like zoos, conservatories, museums, parks, malls, petting zoos, animal cafes or shelters, etc.

Really Want a Boyfriend?

Dating and relationships can be overwhelming and all-consuming in our minds. Figuring out relationships starts with figuring yourself out. What characteristics do you want in an ideal boyfriend? Strive to develop those in yourself, and you’ll find you may attract a guy with what you’re looking for.

Getting mixed signals from your crush? What should you do?

How does he act towards you?

DOES HE...

• Flirt with other girls?

• Speak to you unkindly?

• Speak unkindly about you to his friends?

• Get irritated when you ask him questions?

These are red flags. You can find someone better!

DOES HE...

• Sit quietly sometimes?

• Not talk as much?

He may have days when he is tired, shy, or still trying to figure out how he feels. Guys don’t have hormone changes like girls do, but their emotions and energy levels do fluctuate.

Don’t force the relationship. When people try to rush relationships, they risk ending that relationship. Sometimes, they even end the friendship. Talk to him, hang out in group settings, and get to know him naturally.

Be a good friend – ask him kind questions!

Don’t pressure him – give him some time and respect his space.

Make sure you are taking care of yourself – whether he wants to be a boyfriend or not,

YOU CAN LIVE WITH PURPOSE and have an amazing life!

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Becoming Confident In Your Body Starts With Your Own Mind

“Your body is part of who you are, but your body doesn’t define you. It was a life-changing moment for me when I recognized that. There’s so much more to me than how I look. It’s liberating to realize that what I see on Instagram doesn’t need to define who I am, what I should look like, or how I should act.

It can be scary at first, but the world needs to know that real, imperfect women exist. Let’s dare to break the rules. We don’t need to add a filter to hide or mask our imperfections.

We need to be ourselves, telling our own stories and thinking our own thoughts.

Deep down, we all know that there’s no such thing as a perfect person or a perfect life. Defining yourself by who you are, rather than how you look, is a brave choice to defy the deception of perfection that society tells us to buy into.

We don’t have to follow the crowd. We can choose to surround ourselves with people who encourage and uplift us. We are bold enough to reject deceit and believe we are beautiful.”

Estelle

Tips for Confidence Appreciate what your body can do. What do you like about yourself that isn’t related to your weight or physical looks? Is there a sport you play, a skill you have, a hobby you enjoy…

Pay attention to things that might make you more critical of your body. For example, are there certain magazines, TikTok or Instagram accounts, or friend groups that always leave you feeling bad about yourself? Unfollow them or get some space.

Talk about it. You aren’t alone in the struggle. Opening up to people who really care can be a path to support and encouragement.

Nagging self-doubts may come back. But you can choose to reframe how you think about yourself and throw those negative thoughts out as quickly as they come.

Dear Livvy,

It seems like all the girls at school have a boyfriend besides me. I can’t help but feel a little jealous and well, to be honest, desperate. I can’t help it. I just really want a boyfriend! What should I do? –Really Want a Boyfriend

Dear Livy!

Dear Really Want a Boyfriend, I understand where you’re coming from. It’s natural to want to be chosen—you are not alone. But it’s also not the case that everyone has a boyfriend! As you wait, I have a couple of ideas. Concentrate on developing into the kind of woman you want to be. Spend time on the things you enjoy. Build solid friendships. Friendships are important to have at every stage of life!

When dating, it can be easy to become so infatuated that your identity feels wrapped up with him, causing breakups to leave you feeling like you’ve lost yourself. Good friends will help to keep you grounded.

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Dear Livvy,

A random guy contacted me through social media and started telling me how beautiful I am. I have no clue who he is. What do you think of this? What should I do? –Randomly Beautiful Dear Randomly Beautiful, This is a red flag, and you should not respond. Just delete his message and block him. This could be an online predator trying to meet up with you to kidnap, assault, or sell you into trafficking. Predators convince young girls and even guys that their beauty will land them a modeling job, only to find themselves victims of prostitution, pornography, and slave labor. If he continues to contact you, tell your parents or a teacher. If he sends you a sexually explicit image, report him to the authorities.

Have more questions or need advice?

Write to Livvy at j4gmagazine.com

What’s Going On?

Have you ever wondered why you think or feel differently during your cycle? Throughout your cycle, progesterone, estrogen, and luteinizing hormones (LH) all surge and fall, impacting your moods, appetite, and energy.1

A “Typical” 28-Day Menstrual Cycle

In women, Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) stimulates the growth of ovarian follicles in the ovary before the release of an egg (ovulation). It also signals the body to increase oestradiol production.3 Your reproductive hormones change your body’s internal chemistry, which can and will affect how you think and feel.

Menstruation

Follicular

Low Estrogen and progesterone levels signal the body to start shedding the built-up blood and uterine lining.

Estrogen, FSH, and LH all increase during follicular and peak at ovulation.

Luteal

Ovulation

When ovulation occurs, the corpus luteum (the follicle where the egg came from) tells the body to start producing progesterone to make the womb a nice, welcoming place for a baby to implant.

During the luteal phase, estrogen falls to a moderate level and progesterone rises, causing the uterine lining to build up.

Estrogen and progesterone fall sharply before menstruation.

What’s Going On with Hormonal Contraception?

In men, the Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) acts on the Sertoli cells of the testes to stimulate sperm production (spermatogenesis).1 So, adult males are hormonally consistent from day to day. During puberty, guys can have mood swings, but they don’t fluctuate cyclically like a woman’s does during her cycle.

When discussing the hormone cycle, it’s important to understand the difference between your natural cycle and the hormonal shifts your body experiences when using hormonal contraception or birth control.

Continuous release of artificial progesterone and estrogen prevents the natural fluctuation of hormones The placebo week, for those and ovulation. It’s a bit like continually being in the contraceptive methods middle of the luteal phase, but with a high risk of that have one, mimics developing anxiety and depression.5, 6 menstruation but is The constant, relatively low levels of artificial actually caused by hormone progesterone and estrogen do not cause the withdrawal.4 endometrium to build up like it does in the luteal phase.7

To learn more about hormonal contraception and its side effects, visit: www.j4gmagazine.com/contraception-consequences

What can I do?

The hormone cycle affects women in all aspects of life. So, it makes sense that the choices we make in different areas of our life will also have an effect on our hormone health. Adjusting our lifestyle, movement, and nutrition choices to the phases of our menstrual cycle can help improve how we experience it and our disposition towards it. Diet changes, natural supplements, and exercise can help to regulate and support a healthy cycle.

If you think you have a cycle disorder, such as PCOS or endometriosis, or if something

seems seriously wrong, talk to a trusted women’s health physician or specialist.

Debilitating pain and nausea during menstruation are not normal or healthy.

If you struggle with some part of your cycle in particular, try using the suggestions on our website to see if they can help with your symptoms.

For more information and suggestions on your cycle scan this QR Code.

STOP If the doctor recommends hormonal contraception, you can say no! There are natural options that may work for you.

You have the information and the tools to say that contraception isn’t what’s best for your body and that you want something good for your natural cycle.

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Dating Decoded Have you started dating or are you ready to start dating?

Here’s some things you should know about guys: 1.

Guys find self-respect attractive!

Know your value and stick to your convictions.

2. Guys will wait to have sex if you will.

The players won’t stick around once they realize you’re serious, but the good guys will! Those are the guys worth investing your time, energy, and heart into.

Dating Do’s: • Do get to know each other as friends first.

Talk in person • Do group activities with some friends.

• Do stay with the group, especially if you don’t know the person well or if you met online.

• Do take things slow. You’re still high schoolers, and neither of you are looking to get married yet.

Keep things a little more casual and take it slow, physically and emotionally.

• Do trust your instincts. If you sense something isn’t right, get out of the situation.

If you’re scared for your safety, call 911.

Dating Don’ts: • Don’t take any relationship to the next step over text. The best way to escape the gray area of “talking” or “hanging out” is to talk in-person about when you’re just friends, when you’re getting to know each other better, and when you’re dating. Clear is kind.

• Don’t tolerate a guy who violates your personal boundaries. If he doesn’t respond when you tell him to stop, leave the situation.

• Don’t accept beverages from people you don’t know, and don’t drink out of anything you’ve left unattended. “Date rape drugs” can be slipped into your drink when you’re not paying attention or without you even realizing it.

I think I’m Pregnant Have you ever thought about what you might do if you experienced an unexpected pregnancy? Or how you might respond to a friend who is pregnant and worried?

Here are some steps to help you or someone you know:

> > > >

>

Take a breath, don’t panic. Take a deep breath and confirm whether or not you’re currently pregnant. Stay calm, and know you don’t have to go through this alone.

Don’t judge yourself for your emotions. Being pregnant causes so many chemical and hormonal changes in your body. You’re going to feel a lot of emotions - let it happen. Talk through your feelings with a friend or counselor, or write it out.

Take care of yourself. Your body is doing a lot during pregnancy. Make sure you’re getting rest, proper nutrition, and plenty of water. Talk to a healthcare provider about proper prenatal care, and don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself.

Ask your support system for help. Surround yourself with people who will support you, and don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it - whether it’s financial or emotional.

Find a Pregnancy Resource Center near you at: www.pregnancydecisionline.org

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Not Just a “Guy” Problem?

Pornography and masturbation are usually framed as male issues, leaving many women feeling isolated in the struggle against pornography. The reality is that 70% of women have seen pornography before the age of 18, and 25% struggle or feel they should consume less of it.2 Pornography is far from harmless, and a growing number of your peers are rejecting it.

Here are five reasons to join them: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Your mind matters: Pornography changes your brain. It is addictive, decreases sensitivity to pleasure,3 and reduces frontal brain matter.4 It has also been found to decrease self-control,5 and it’s harmful to the mental health of those who use it.6,7 Your time is valuable: 47% of pornography users reported consuming pornography for 30 minutes to 3 hours per day.8 In one year, that can add up to over a thousand hours! Unsurprisingly, 30% of users reported that their work performance suffered because of their pornography use.9 Pornography sets unrealistic body standards: Pornography use worsens body image and decreases selfesteem.10 The pornography industry treats women as sex objects, valuing them only for their bodies while setting completely unrealistic standards.

Pornography normalizes objectification and sexual violence: The pornography industry profits from abuse and exploitation,11 fuels sex trafficking,12 and portrays sexual violence as normal. A team of researchers found that 88% of the scenes in the most popular pornography films contained physical violence and 49% contained verbal attacks.13 No one should ever treat you like that. Degrading women isn’t sexy, and it certainly isn’t love.

Your relationships are healthier without it: Pornography use decreases relationship satisfaction14 and commitment to one’s partner,15 as well as dramatically increasing the likelihood of divorce.16 Your current and future relationships will be much healthier without pornography!

If you are struggling and want to quit, talk to your parents or friends and seek help from health professionals. You shouldn’t have to struggle alone.

“I ran to pornography whenever I was lonely, but it only breeds loneliness.

It also became a crutch if I was ever bored, disappointed, or angry with myself.”

“I felt trapped and alone…

People don’t see what it does in the hearts and minds of those that it affects. They don’t see what it does inside the homes and relationships of those that it holds captive. They don’t see the lives that it ruins.”

Need help to break the habit?

Scan this code

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Saving Sex As a teen, I played the third wheel because my sister had many boyfriends and I didn’t. I became depressed and wondered why guys didn’t like me.

When I finally got a boyfriend, it became an abusive relationship. I ended it, but even with that freedom, I still didn’t know who I was and ended up with more exes. Then I met Caden. Even though our values didn’t match, he made me feel special. I thought Caden was “the one.”

I wanted to remain a virgin before marriage, but the only thing I remembered from sex-ed was ‘don’t have sex.’ I took that to mean anything but sex was fine. We kept getting physically closer until that one night we went all the way. I regretted it immediately. I couldn’t take it back, ever. I felt like avoiding sex no longer mattered, so we kept sleeping together (in secret.)

I felt like I was leading a double life. I kept ignoring the nagging problem of our mismatched values. He was perfect for me except for one thing —he didn’t understand my value of saving sex for marriage. Breaking up with Caden was the hardest thing I ever had to do, but it changed my life and made me the person I am today.

I vowed not to be physical with someone again until I was 100% sure whom I would marry and that he would respect my sexual integrity.

While I was single, I found a group of friends who shared my values. An honorable guy in the group, Tyler, later became my beloved husband. I was his first girlfriend—his first kiss! He understood that waiting was important, so we waited to have sex until our wedding night. Now I am content with the real man who showed me I was worth waiting for.

Mayra

Do you know the facts?

1. What percentage of sexually active young women have had genital Human Papillomavirus (HPV)?1 a. 30% b. 15% c. 80% d. 70% 2. True or False: The younger a person is when they start having sex, the greater the chance of getting an STI.2 a. True b. False 3. T rue or False: You can get an STI if you have oral sex.3 a. True b. False

5. According to the most recent CDC data, at least 43 million people nationwide were infected with HPV in 2018.5 More than ___% of cases of cervical cancer are linked to HPV.6 a. 30% b. 63% c. 91% d. 99%

Answers: 1: C 2: A 3: A 4: D 5: D

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4. ___ out of ___ teens who have had sex wish they had waited.4 a. 1 out of 4 b. 2 out of 3 c. 1 out of 3 d. 1 out of 2

Live With Purpose Did you know that couples who wait to have sex have higher levels of satisfaction, contentment, and better sex? Relationships that quickly move toward sex, on the other hand, are often filled with problems.

There are countless ways to show someone that you love them, other than having sex. Waiting to have sex until you’re fully committed to one another, like getting married, is a beautiful expression of real love. It shows you’re willing to use self-control, patience, and put real love into practice for someone. Not to mention, waiting to have sex is the number one way to find someone who truly loves you for all the right reasons.

Maybe you’re reading this and you’ve already had sex with someone. That doesn’t mean you can’t start over now. Just because you’ve had sex in the past doesn’t mean you have to do it with the next person you date.

JUST4GUYS 2026-2027

NOW IS YOUR TIME

The inside scoop on girls

ARE YOU A CONSUMER?

Are You Ready to Take on Your Future?

The stress of being a man can add up. Maybe that pressure comes from school, family, your coach, or even your friends’ expectations of you. Ultimately, you want to finish school, get a great job, and build the perfect life.

Every guy wants to be a success, but not every guy makes a plan to succeed. The decisions you make today will make a difference later on.

One major challenge to building that future revolves around how you develop relationships today. That’s what this magazine is all about. You’ll get the “Inside scoop on girls,” dating advice, and the hard-hitting truth about pornography and how it keeps you from the future you want.

Now is the time when you decide what kind of man you want to become and what type of life you want to live. You get to choose what your future looks like.

Now is your time.

Success Sequence Why not go with something that has proven it works? According to the American Enterprise Institute and the Institute for Family Studies, only 3% of people end up living in poverty if they do these three things: 1. Get a high school diploma 2. Maintain a full-time job 3. Wait until marriage to have kids This leads to a 97% chance of living free from poverty.1,2 Those are pretty good odds.

Table of Contents Human Life Alliance 1614 93rd Lane NE Minneapolis, MN 55449 humanlife.org | (651)484-1040 Just4Girls/Just4Guys has been produced

by Human Life Alliance since 2005. ©2026 All sources are available at

j4gmagazine.com/sources

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2. Success Sequence 3. Phones and Relationships 4. You Don’t Have To Measure Up 5. The Inside Scoop On Girls 6. Are You a Consumer 7. Breaking the Habit 8. Now Is Your Time

Building Real Connections can be Tough

But It’s Time to Conquer

Smartphones are useful tools, but sometimes it seems like they’re taking over our lives. How do these devices affect us? Is there really a problem? According to a recent study, these are the top 5 mental wellbeing problems for adolescents (13 to 17)1 • Feelings of sadness, distress, or hopelessness •G uilt and blame • Fear and anxiety • Unwanted, strange, or obsessive thoughts • Sense of being detached from reality These problems are all associated with phone or tablet ownership at a young age.

Do you struggle with any of these things? You’re not alone! And there is hope. You can work to reclaim your mental and emotional freedom and stability.

While it’s not always possible to completely go without a cellphone, here are some suggestions for putting away the screens and rooting yourself in the world around you: TAKE ACTION Most phones have a digital wellbeing widget that’ll show your unlocks and screen time for the day. Just seeing how many times you’ve unlocked your phone and how much time you’ve spent on it in a day can help you to manage your phone usage. You can take back control of your life and mental wellbeing.

YOURSELF: - Disciplined reflection: Set yourself a daily goal, like 10 minutes, and choose to sit still and do nothing. No music, no screen, just you.

-T hink about and develop your personal convictions.

If you’re religious or spiritual, spend some time growing in your faith, praying, and reading holy literature. If you aren’t religious or spiritual, deepen those convictions that guide your life by reading and pondering literature about them.

-H obbies that involve your senses: sports, exercise, DIY projects, music, art, acting, etc.

YOUR LOVED ONES: - Hang out with friends in person and keep phones in the “parking garage” in backpacks or a place where you can’t feel or hear every notification.

- Engage in micro-interactions: chat between classes, when eating dinner, give little signs of affection, etc.

YOUR WORLD: - Walk outside without earbuds.

- Go out to fun, free or low-cost places like parks, museums, zoos, conservatories, malls, animal shelters, etc.

Is This What Dating in 2026 Has to Look Like?

You add her on social media or maybe she Then you text and slides into your DMs. message each other back and forth, sharing what you think You start to think of each other. every notification is from her and race to check them.

Then you start hooking up with each other…

But you both stare at your phones when you go out on dates.

“We couldn’t communicate in person because we had built the relationship through our phones.”

Does this sound familiar? If you like a girl, take the time to interact with her in REAL LIFE. It’s hard to build a relationship with someone you never speak to in person. Here are some tips to building a more real and meaningful relationship: • Get to know the real her as a friend first. Do things in a group setting, in person. Allow her to get to know the real you, too!

•D on’t take any relationship to the next step over text. To have a real relationship, you need to have clear communication in person. The best way to escape the gray area of “talking” or “hanging out” is to talk about things in person. This means clearly communicating about when you’re just friends, when

you’re getting to know each other better, and when you’re dating. Clear is kind, even if it’s hard and feelings could get hurt. Be kind to her and yourself.

• I f you’re interested in being exclusive with a girl, ask her out on a date in person. Talk to her about moving from seeing each other to dating. Define mutual expectations with her.

• Take things slow. You’re both still developing as young adults.

Don’t rush into physical and emotional intimacy. Allow things to progress slowly so you can both get to know the real person you’re dating.

And keep both her and your future success in mind.

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You Don’t Have To Measure Up Being a teenage guy can feel like you’re under a microscope. You can feel like everyone is judging you for: how you look, how strong you are, who you hang out with, and whether you seem confident. You may be anxious about making a mistake and everyone laughing at you.

When your body changes, perceptions and expectations are loud.

It’s normal to feel unsure and doubt yourself at times. Every guy experiences this at some point.

Here’s the truth: your worth isn’t defined by your muscles, your height, or however you compare to other guys. Some guys are going to be really successful athletes. Some are wicked smart. There is no one way to be a real man. Real strength isn’t about fitting into someone else’s stereotype; it’s about growing into the man of character, integrity, and purpose you are supposed to be.

Instead of chasing an impossible standard, focus on what makes you healthy and come alive. Whether it’s sports, working with your hands, gaming, studying, working, music, or serving others, investing in your passions today builds your confidence and shapes a better you for your future.

Don’t go it alone – if you can. Honest friendships and trusted mentors make the journey easier. They can hold you accountable to your own expectations and get you back on track if you stray from your goals. But be careful to avoid bad influences and people who could drag you away from your goals.

Be mindful of what you take in, too. Social media, TV and digital media, and popular culture in general, can quietly fuel comparison and stereotypes. So surround yourself with voices and messages that push you toward your goals and growth, not insecurity and negativity.

Some people tear others down to make themselves look and feel better.

Most importantly, treat yourself with respect. You’re still growing, physically and emotionally, and that takes patience. You’re going to have good days and bad days.

That’s part of the journey.

Learning to value who you are, day by day, lays the foundation for the man you are going to be in the future.

You got this!

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The Inside Scoop On Girls Have you ever said to yourself, “I never know what she wants? I’m not even sure she knows what she wants.

One minute she’s fine... then she suddenly isn’t! What’s going on?” Before you decide to give up, there’s a logical answer. Take a look at these two hormone charts.

Girls

In women, progesterone, estrogen, and LH all surge and fall during her cycle, impacting her moods, appetite, and energy.2 This isn’t an excuse for girls to be mean, but it might help you understand a little better why your mother, sister, girlfriend, or classmates act the way they do.

What’s She Feeling?

Guys

In men, the Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) acts on the Sertoli cells of the testes to stimulate sperm production (spermatogenesis).1 So, adult males are hormonally consistent from day to day.

During puberty, guys can have mood swings, but they don’t fluctuate cyclically like a woman’s does during her cycle.

A “Typical” 28-Day Menstrual Cycle

Follicular

Here’s a cheat sheet for Phase Hormones and you. While her emotions Menstrual energy are on the and reactions may still be Phase (Period) rise. She’s generally confusing, hopefully knowing Hormones are low. happy and Her emotions are excited. a bit about what she’s generally low and can experiencing internally will be more volatile. help you to understand her a little bit better.

Ovulatory Phase Hormones and energy peak. Her emotions are intense, for better or worse, and she’s ready to conquer the world.

Luteal Phase Hormones and energy start falling.

She’s less interested in doing things and starts turning inward.

Five Steps to Help Her...

Have you ever thought about how you could support a friend, girlfriend, or family member facing an unexpected pregnancy? Here are some ideas: 1. Be there for her. When she finds out she’s pregnant, she’s going to feel anxious, like life is changing too fast. Let her know that you’re there to listen and that she’s not alone.

2. Be Positive. Try not to respond with alarm when she’s already stressed—choose to be calm and reassuring.

3. Help Her. Could she use help finding a doctor, picking up her latest pregnancy cravings, or getting supplies? Don’t be overbearing. Just be available.

4. Provide Rest and Relaxation. Support and encourage her during this challenging period of life. Let her know she still deserves a little pampering. Treat her to a meal or have a movie night at home.

5. Create a Support Network. Have friends and family join in to help her on her journey to motherhood. Throw a baby shower, set up meal trains, raise gas money or offer to drive her to appointments, fundraise to help pay for baby supplies.

Start to think about this today, just in case.

She’ll need your support. The key is not to panic if you or your loved one faces an unexpected pregnancy.

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Porn - ARE YOU A CONSUMER? When was the last time you consumed pornography, on your phone, laptop, or tablet?

Do you find you can’t keep those images out of your mind? By 11-yearsold, 51%1 of boys have seen pornography, and by 17, 79%2 of young men have.

While some casually view pornography, many experience a real addiction to it. Society and pop culture perpetuate the belief that all men watch pornography by making jokes and crude comments about it. Pornography is treated as normal and good. But it’s not.

So, if everyone watches it, why should you stop? Pornography has consequences. There’s nothing healthy about it, which is why a growing number of young people are refusing to be consumers. There are a lot of good reasons to join the movement:

1. Pornography messes with your mind.

Pornography changes your brain. It’s addictive, decreases sensitivity to pleasure,3 and reduces frontal brain matter.4 It has also been found to decrease self-control5 and it’s harmful to the mental health of those who use it.6,7 2. Pornography keeps you from achieving your goals.

47% of pornography users reported consuming for 30 minutes to three hours per day.8 In one year, that can add up to over a thousand hours! Unsurprisingly, 30% of users reported that their work performance suffered because of their pornography use.9 Your goals matter―pornography gets in the way of achieving them.

3. You respect your body.

Pornography not only affects the way that users view themselves by worsening body image and decreasing selfesteem,10 but it can also lead to physical problems, like sexual dysfunction.11 4. You refuse to fuel exploitation.

The pornography industry profits from abuse and exploitation12 and fuels sex trafficking.13 Even so-called “ethical” pornography shows a disrespect for the sexual integrity of others and often exploits the people involved in producing it.14 5. Your relationships are healthier without it.

Pornography use decreases relationship satisfaction15 and commitment to one’s partner,16 as well as dramatically increasing the likelihood of divorce.17 Your current and future relationships will be much healthier without pornography.

It is possible to break the habit, and there are countless people and resources to help you.

Visit fightthenewdrug.org or joinfortify.com to find resources to help you!

“For 10 years of my compulsion, I didn’t pursue my dreams.

I didn’t discover my hobbies. For 10 years I played video games, watched TV, and watched porn. That was pretty much my life. Yes, I went out with friends and did social things, but when no one was around, that’s all I did. Now that porn is out of my life, I can pursue my dreams again. I can’t begin to describe how much

I want the last decade back. The relationships I could have had and the growth I could have experienced.

Porn prohibited me from having any real relationships.

By taking up hundreds and hundreds of hours of my life, porn stunted me from growing as a person.”

Breaking the You can be free of pornography addiction. You can create positive habits that will eventually break the addiction to pornography.

The most helpful thing you can do is talk about it with someone else and set up an accountability system. This should be someone you trust and will report to frequently. You’re much less likely to view pornography if you have someone to keep you accountable. It will be a fight, but you don’t have to do it alone.

• Avoid problem websites and browsing the internet when you’re bored, tired, or stressed.

• Are there certain social media accounts that always end with you watching pornography? Block them.

• Block pornography sites in your browser. You could also use a textonly browser for a while.

• Don’t keep your smartphone next to your bed. If you need it for an alarm clock, get an actual alarm clock or switch your phone to airplane mode.

• Did you just suffer a bad breakup? If so, only browse during the day.

The images you viewed in the past may re-surface in your mind later on and lead to relapses. Simple adjustments in your daily routine will help you steer clear of pornography and keep it out of your life. Start working out to use up excess energy and fall asleep more quickly at night.

Try to replace the pornography habit with some other activity.

It’s easier to replace a bad habit with a good one than to just break the bad one.

Dear Livvy,

My friends showed me a video of our classmate dancing in a bikini. The thing is, she lives down the street from me; we grew up together. I’m pretty sure she would never post something like that or wear that. My friends said they used an AI app to put her face on someone else’s body. Then they showed me how easy it was by making one with another girl from school. My friends aren’t bad people, but I think they’re making bad decisions. What should I do?

Should I say something? - AI Confused Dear AI Confused, What you’re describing is a big deal, and it makes sense that you feel uncomfortable. Your friends might think it’s “just a joke,” but those AI videos can be hurtful and damaging. They can spread rapidly, harm those girls’ reputations, and make them feel unsafe. AI and social media can be powerful tools, but they should never be used to embarrass or objectify others. Technology doesn’t remove responsibility; how we use it matters. As for your friends, real friendship includes accountability. Caring about your friends sometimes means challenging them to make better choices. And if they won’t stop, talk to a trusted adult.

You’re not alone in feeling unsure, and asking for advice shows maturity. Keep choosing what’s right, even when it’s hard. Treating people with respect online and offline helps build the kind of character and relationships that last.

Have more questions or need advice? Write to Livvy at j4gmagazine.com

j4gmagazine.org|7

Why save sex for marriage?

What a deep and intricate question. One that has caused major changes in the way our world views sex. They tell you that it’s just sex. It feels good, right? Why not enjoy it? I had to answer this question for myself when I began seriously pursuing a relationship. Why should I wait? If I truly love someone and I am attracted to her, isn’t it in our nature to desire sex, especially at our age? I found my answer to this question several years ago while reflecting on my beliefs. I decided that someday I wanted to get married and I wanted to love my wife completely. To do this, what must I do?

Well, I decided that means I need to save sex for marriage. If I don’t wait, what happens? I demonstrate my complete lack of self-control, and a selfish desire to feel good. Frankly, it makes me look like a pathetic man who follows sudden whims and cravings. To me, it just seems... well, it seems rather easy to have sex before marriage. If I’m going to take the easy path in a relationship, how can I look her in the eye and tell her I truly love her? If I’m not willing to make this sacrifice for her, it isn’t love.

It’s selfish. So, I found my answer. I will save sex for marriage because it shows that I actually do love this woman; not only her, but myself, too.

Many people have given me grief for this decision. My classmates do not seem to agree with my line of thinking, which has made things more difficult. But no one said love would be easy, so I take this difficulty as a direct challenge and one that I can overcome. So, what about you? Will you take this challenge with me? Now is the time to prove your manhood to the woman you claim to love. Do you love her, and will you wait for her? Or do you want to give in to your weakness? I chose the difficult path, and I believe it will lead me to happiness.

What will you choose?

Michael

Now is Your Time So now you’ve read some important—if not life altering—information about relationships. Are you willing to seek success for your future?

Each man is different. Each of us grows at our own pace and finds real love at different times.

Perhaps today you’ve realized pornography is destroying your life. Maybe you see how it will influence your future and want to stop consuming now. You can, but you’ll need help.

Knowing the facts, recognizing relationship pitfalls, and seeking help from someone you trust are the first steps in accomplishing your relationship and life goals.

It’s time to rise to the challenge, make good choices, and create a great life for yourself.

8 | J4G

Did You Know?

Teens having sex are statistically more likely...

• To get pregnant1 (compared to sexually active adults).

• To live in poverty2 and have less financial net worth.3,4 • To contract sexually transmitted infections.5 • To experience sexual abuse and victimization.6 • To have poor self-esteem and mental health struggles.7 Among high school students, 68% of boys and 69% of girls have never had sex.8 50% of 18 to 19 year-olds wish they had waited longer to have sex.9 oung adults contract about 10 million new STIs Y each year, costing about $4.16 billion in direct medical costs.10