AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE PREMARITAL SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

1.1 Introduction

Premarital sexual behavior is a sexual activities practiced by persons who are unmarried and it has been considered taboo in some cultures and sin in numerous religion (Stephen & Stephen, 2016). Sex being a universal term one would expect a great deal to be known about it. The family institution is where sexual activities or intercourse takes place between two adults if opposite sex is not confined to young people alone; a good number of people who are not married are also vulnerable to pre-marital sex. This is evidence by the large number of unintended pregnancies many of which get terminated in back street clinics (Alo, 2008), the high rate of sexual transmitted infected among the 15-24 years old and an increasing number of girls dropping out of school due to unwanted pregnancies.

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.

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1.2 Background of Study

Premarital sexual behavior among students appears to be a reality that cannot be ignored. Several studies reveal that students’ premarital sexual activities are on the increase and common in most African schools (Jones & Espey, 2008, & Miyakado & Timothy; 2014 & Idoko, Muyiwa Agoha, 2015).

In a recent report released by CSA (centre for the study of adolescent) the age of sexual debut is now at all time low of between 8 and 12 years infact, 8 out of young people will have had sec before they reach the age of 20. This increases the chances of unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases as well as chance of dropping out of school. Also consequences diseases of pre-marital, sexually transmitted diseases (As well as HIV) are higher for females. If a young girl becomes pregnant, she places herself and her unborn child at further risk; because, a young girls’ body will not have developed to the point being able to handle child birth safely. Even of a young mother escape severe health consequences, she must still face serious responsibilities of parenthood. This is aside the fact that she drops out of school and excepts in rare cases she may never go back to school again (AIO 2008), modern society is becoming free in many different ways so that premarital sex is becoming more ordinary. Pre-marital sex seems to be causing many socials disturbance such as disorderly household and more corruption of public morals.

The issue of undergraduate’s attitude towards pre-marital sex is something that has a lot of controversies and complications. Many of these arguments are matter of opinions which still need to be substantiated with fact and figures before they can be accepted. It is not surprising that one out of every four undergraduates students are unsure if it is right or wrong to have sexual relationship prior to marriage, given how much undergraduates are in their daily living, starting from the post-primary years. The fact that most adolescents or young adults behave that pre-marital sex is important to the sustenance or reservation of the relationship does not entail that it is legally or customable right. However, constant presentation and portrayal of sex outside marriage as normal every day event by the media seems to be a motivational factor to those adolescent or young adults, thereby placing the consequences behinds.

Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Premarital Sexual Relationship among Secondary School Students.

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1.3 Statement of Problems

Investigation revealed that sex in itself, is not wrong at any age but pre-marital forms. Sex may harm the mental development of adults in several forms. Pre-marital sexual experiences many atimes, leads to the misconception that sex is to be enjoyed at whatever ways possible. Forced pre-marital sex may lead to mental depressions and dilemma. Another danger is possible exchange of diseases as premarital partners may not be aware of diseases that spread through pre-marital sex. Emotional imbalances and guilt feeling could be the result of most pre-marital sex. This study is design to examine how pre-marital affects of Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State.

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1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to investigate the causes of Premarital Sexual Relationship among Secondary School Students. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To examine the reasons and causes of pre-marital sex among secondary school girls.
2. To determine how pre-marital sex affect the academic performance of secondary school girls.
3. To find out the risks encountered in pre-marital sex among secondary school girls.
4. To determine the solution to the problem encountered with the adult student through pre-marital sex.

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1.5 Research Questions

The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:

• Is the level of participation in Sex Education low?
• Are there Drop out cases paramount in the study area?
• What are the causes of pre-marital sex?
• What are the risks in engaging in pre-marital sex?
• What are the effects of pre-marital sex on Secondary school girls?
• What are the solutions to the problem encountered in pre-marital sex?

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1.6 Research Hypothesis

In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.

Hypothesis One

• H0: Premarital sexual behaviour will not significantly influence secondary school students’ academic performance in Yagba Local Government Area of Kogi State.
• H1: Premarital sexual behaviour will significantly influence secondary school students’ academic performance in Yagba Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Hypothesis Two

• H0: There are no significant effects of pre-marital sex on Secondary school students in Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State
• H1: There are significant effects of pre-marital sex on Secondary school students in Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State

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1.7 Significance of Study

Although there is abundance of literature on the above, subject matter that is pre-marital sex of adult student in our higher institutions. The study will create awareness of the students to various problems that brings about pre-marital sex the outcome of this will sensitive the school authority to provide adequate security to the students.

This study will help the management of the institution, the individual and the society at large. It will also help the school counselors to carry out their job effectively. From the study the society and the individual will know the importance of abstaining from premarital sex relationship. The study will also assist in the reduction of sexual transmitted diseases as well as unwanted pregnancy.

However, the study can also assist in creating awareness concerning the relationship responsible for pre-marital sexual relationship in the higher institutions. It will reduce the rate of pre-marital sex as well as encourage youth to “Zip-up” and maintain abstinence until marriage.

This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.

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1.8 Scope of Study

The study focuses on the investigation of the Premarital Sexual Relationship among Secondary School Students in Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State.

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1.9 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
3. Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
4. Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

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1.10 Operational Definition of Terms

Sexuality: It is the capacity to have erotic experiences and responses.

Marital Affairs: It is the relationship between a man and woman who are legally married.

Diseases: An abnormal condition of the body or mind that causes discomfort or dysfunctions.

Depression: A state of mind producing serious, long-term lowering of enjoyment of life or inability to visualize.

Pre-marital sex: It is the sexual activity practiced by persons who are unmarried.