Adolescent Attitude Towards Sex Education in the Senior Secondary Schools
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The main objective of this study is a study of adolescent attitude towards sex education in the senior secondary school. But for the successful completion of the study; the researcher intends to achieve the following sub-objectives;
- To ascertain whether sex education have effect on academic performance of student.
- To find out the nature of adolescents thoughts and feelings towards sex education in relation to information given by parent, teachers, and other media.
- To determine the extent to which gender, age grade and residence influence learner’s thought and feeling towards sex education.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
ADOLESCENT
Kulkarni, A. (2008),Adolescence is the period of psychosocial development beginning in the preteen years, usually in conjunction with pubertal onset, and extending until the individual assumes an adult role in society. The stage of psychosocial development and the level of cognitive maturation strongly influence each adolescent’s response to any health concern, including those related to sexuality. Early adolescence corresponds to ages 10 to 15 years, when most youth are entering high school. Most early adolescents are progressing through puberty, intensely aware of physical changes, and concerned about any changes which they perceive as “abnormal”. They tend to exaggerate and worry about physical symptoms, although they may have difficulty verbalizing their concerns. Early adolescents are beginning to separate from childhood and their parents but tend to vacillate between adult-like and child-like behavior. They have rapid wide mood swings, become easily upset and emotional, and alternate between extreme cooperation and extreme resistance to adult guidance. Sexually, as pubertal events occur, early adolescents may rediscover masturbation and other pleasurable self-stimulation. They form close friendships with same-sex peers and may experiment sexually with them usually to satisfy curiosity. Middle adolescence, typically ages 14 to 18 years, finds youth continuing education or seeking employment. Puberty usually is complete, adult size is approaching and fertility often is a reality. Middle adolescents struggle the most with the development of self-identity, and autonomy. Middle adolescents have increased mobility and independence and less adult presence and protection. Risk-taking behavior involving driving, substance use, and/or sexual activity may have harmful consequences which the adolescent is unable to anticipate or effectively prevent. Experimentation seems to be a normal, even necessary part of adolescent development. Contemporary society often tolerates and even promotes adolescent experimentation with smoking, drinking, and sex yet hesitates to provide adolescents with the knowledge and means of avoiding consequences. Sexually, most middle adolescents have discovered masturbation and practice it with varying frequency. By age 17, approximately half of all adolescents have experienced sexual intercourse, some before puberty, many first at age 15 to 16.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought to a study of adolescent attitude towards sex education in the senior secondary school.
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
Primary source and Secondary source
Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment; the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain a study of adolescent attitude towards sex education in the senior secondary school
In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of sex education among senior secondary school student.
Summary
This study was on a study of adolescent attitude towards sex education. Four objectives were raised which included; to ascertain whether sex education have effect on academic performance of student, to find out the nature of adolescents thoughts and feelings towards sex education in relation to information given by parent, teachers, and other media, to determine the extent to which gender, age grade and residence influence learner’s thought and feeling towards sex education, to ascertain the relationship between adolescent attitude towards sex education and senior school students academic performance. In line with these objectives, two research hypotheses were formulated and two null hypotheses were posited. The total population for the study is 200 staff from different secondary schools in Ihiala local government area, Imo state was selected randomly. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made up principals, vice principals administration, senior staff and junior staff were used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies.
Conclusion
Adolescent are Faced with the challenges of understanding and becoming comfortable with the physical changes of puberty Christopher Kraus (2008). The research shows that most of the adolescent have insufficient knowledge about sex education. Adolescent need to be provided accurate and correct information about sex in order to form good attitude and belief toward sex. This will prevent antisocial behavior in our society such as (Teenage pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted disease). Moreover adolescent agreed to the fact that sex education is effective, but most of them have insufficient knowledge about it, sex education is needful and necessary for young ones in order to enlighten them on their reproductive systems, sexually transmitted disease. Being mindful of the exposure given to our young one in school, media and among their peers, It is important to impact sex education on them. Parent therefore, play a vital role in this area, family is the first agent of socialization through which a child grows, Durojaiye (2005) observed that in most African homes, parents are not fully equipped to answer questions on sexual matters usefully. Even those who try to pass faulty information to their children. The whole subject thus becomes surrounded by secrecy and the children how become too embarrassed to discuss these matters with their parent. Parents are in the appropriate position to provide information about sex to their children.
Recommendation
- Sex education should be part of school curriculum in order to educate adolescent
- Proper information should be given to adolescent in order to form good attitude and²belief toward sex
- Abstinence education should also be given to adolescent in order to prevent them from²pre-marital sex before marriage.
- Parents should develop good communication with their children, be their friends and² have positive attitude to sex.
- Stemming the flood of teenage pregnancy. Sexually transmitted disease requires joint²effort by parents, counselors, teachers, curriculum planners and even government
REFERENCES
- Adegoke 2003. “The role of the family in managing indiscipline among youths in Nigeria”. Journal of Counselling. (1)pg 45 – 51.
- Akerele (2004). “Sexual Risks and Practices in Nigeria. Multi-disciplinary approach to human kinetics and health education,Codat publications, Ibadan 2004 pg 81-100.
- Afifi et al. (2008), ‘Impacts of Four Title V, Abstinence Education Programs Final Report’ Princeton. Busari (2003),Multi-disciplinary approach to human kinetics and health, codat publications, Ibadan 2004 pg 69-72.
- Christopher Kraus (2008)’Youth Research Working Paper No. 3. Impact of sex and HIV education programs on sexual behaviors of youth in developing and developed countries.
- Durojaiye (2005), ‘Guidelines for Comprehensive Sexuality Education: Graber and Brooks (2002), Promoting Reproductive Health andReducing Risk among Adolescents Developmentally Based Interventions and Strategies:
- International Planned Parenthood Foundation (2008), ‘Sexual rights: an IPPF declaration Kim and Ward, (2007) ‘Youth Research Working Paper No. 7.
- Impact of sex and HIV education programs on sexual behaviors of youth in developing and developed countries Kirby, D. (2007), ‘Emerging Answers 2007:
- New Research Findings on Programs to Reduce Teen Pregnancy Kulkarni, A. (2008), ‘The Association Between Sex Education and Youth’s Engagement in Sexual Intercourse, Age at First Intercourse, and Birth Control Use at First Sex’ Journal of Adolescent Health 42: 89-96
