Influence of Family Background and School Factors on Attitude Towards Pre Marital Sex Among Senior Secondary School Students in Lagos State
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The objectives of the study are;
- To ascertain the factors that influence secondary school students’ premarital sex practices in Lagos state
- To ascertain the consequences of secondary school students’ indulgence in premarital sex practices
- To ascertain whether there is family background factor that influence secondary student on pre-marital sex
- To ascertain whether there is school factor that influence secondary student on pre-marital sex
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Incidence of Premarital Sexual Permissiveness
In the past, Nigerians approach sexual behaviour with great respect. There was cultural prohibition of premarital sexual experimentation, but it has been observed that adolescents no longer adhere to the cultural regulations regarding sex. According to Bell and Chaskes (1970), Kaats and Davis (1970), Mosher and Cross (1971), the attitudes of modern youths towards premarital sexual activities have become more liberal and permissive than what it was in the past. Hence Meyerson, (1975) stated that adolescents sexuality reveals a moving kaleidoscope of colourful feelings and changes that can be exciting and frightening, pleasurable and painful, joyous and sad, loving and hating. Speaking on the above observation, Conger (1961:52) stated that “of all the developmental events of adolescence, the most dramatic is the increase in sexual drive and the new and often mysterious feelings and thoughts that accompany it”. As a result of the adolescents’ dramatic liberalization in premarital sexual attitudes, Wagner (1980) was highly worried when he compared it with the standard behaviour. Also Okieh (1981) complained that virginity as an aspect of growing up is now something indulged in indiscriminately. I another occasion, Armstrong (1981) expressing his views emphasized that, the premarital love-making which is now rampant among the adolescents today in form of necking, petting and sexual intercourse are governed by “private love”, that is carnal love and not God’s kind of love, (Agape love). It is just a mere sensual gratification. Again, Zelnik, Kanter and Ford (1981) noted that there is now a liberal attitude towards premarital sex among the teenagers and that this is in a very high increase. This they observed is global. The situation is not different in Nigeria because according to Salami (1981) and Lantunji (1981), the Nigerian society is so saturated with moral laxities that premarital sex is common at all levels of our school system. Amazingly, they noted also that adolescents of pubertal stage in primary schools indulge in too. This attitude of the present day youths towards premarital sex has become more widespread for almost all age groups (Phpps-Yonas, 1980).
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 Influence of family background and school factors on attitude towards pre marital sex among senior secondary school students in Lagos State.
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
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 Influence of family background and school factors on attitude towards pre marital sex among senior secondary school students in Lagos State
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 family background and school factors on attitude towards pre marital sex among senior secondary school students in Lagos State
Summary
This study was on Influence of family background and school factors on attitude towards pre marital sex among senior secondary school students in Lagos State. Four objectives were raised which included; To ascertain the factors that influence secondary school students’ premarital sex practices in Lagos state, to ascertain the consequences of secondary school students’ indulgence in premarital sex practices, to ascertain whether there is family background factor that influence secondary student on pre-marital sex and to ascertain whether there is school factor that influence secondary student on pre-marital sex. In line with these objectives, two research hypotheses were formulated and two null hypotheses were posited. The total population for the study is 100 staff from different secondary schools and 100 families in Lagos 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, married man and married women were used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies.
Conclusion
The study critically examined causes of premarital sex; consequences of secondary school students’ indulgence in premarital sex practices; students ‘attitudes or perception with regards to premarital sex practices; moral implications of secondary school students’ with regards to premarital sex practices. It is obvious from the above that premarital sex has been on the increase despite all efforts been made at curbing it in the society. Ana community in particular remains under threat by premarital sexuality. This is because many young people or students in that area are actively involved in it. The perception of students in relation to premarital remains discouraging. However, the society must not relent in its efforts to curbing the menace of amateur sex practices. Therefore, all hand must remain on deck towards arresting the ill notion students have about premarital sexuality.
Recommendation
The State Education Commission should work in collaboration with the curriculum designers in the secondary school education to plan how best the adolescents in secondary schools could be helped on sex and sex related matters through the knowledge of adolescents’ reproductive health.
- The Guidance Counsellors in Counselling Association of Nigeria should work hard to create awareness through pastoral and group counselling to re-orientate the members of the society on the issues and problems of sex.
References
- Agbaje, N.O. (1991). “The adolescents and sex related problems: Implications for the school counsellor” Unpublished. M.Ed. Thesis. University of Lagos.
- Akinboye, J. (1987). Guidance and Counselling Strategies for handling adolescents and youths problems. Ibadan, University Press Ltd.
- Anate, M. (1986). “Illegal Abortion in Ilorin” The Nigerian Medical Association. 11 (2): 41 – 44.
- Armstrong, G.T. (1972). Your Marriage can be Happy. California: Ambassador College Press.
- Armstrong, H.W. (1981). The Missing Dimension in Sex. USA: World Wide Church of God.
- Bell, R.R. and Chaskes, J.B. (1970), “Premarital Sexual Experience among coeds in 1958 and 1968”. Journal of Marriage and the Family. 32, 81 – 84.
- Bell, R. and Courgey, K. (1980), “Premarital Sexual Experience among College Females. 1958, 1968 and 1978”. Family Relations. 29. 353 – 357.
- Clayton, R.R. and Bokenmeier, J.L. (1980). “Premarital Sex in the Seventies”. Journal of Marriage and the Family. Nov. 759 – 775
- Conger, J. (1961). Adolescence and Youth (2nd Ed) New York: Harper and Row.
- Ehrman, (1959), “Sex Education Today”. Journal and Moral Education 4 315 – 318.
- Eze, I.R. (1989). “Teenage Pregnancy”. Unpublished M. Ed. Thesis. University of Benin.
- Eze, I.R. (1994). “Sexuality, Contraceptives and Pregnancy in Nigeria Set Up”. Unpublished. M. Ed Term Paper. Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka 25 – 26.
- Hoffman, A.D. (1984). “Contraception in Adolescence, a Review. Psychological aspects”. Bulletin of the WHO 62 (1) 153.
- Izundu, N.T.A. (1991). Contemporary Issues that Bother on Nigerian Adolescents and Youths. Implications for Counselling in Guidance and Counselling: A Realistic Approach. (Ed) Unachukwu, G.C. and Igborgbor G.C. Owerri: International University Press.