THE MORAL IMPLICATION OF PREMARITAL SEX AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN ANAM ANAMBRA WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ANAMBRA STATE NIGERIA

Thesis Overview

<p> </p><div><div><div><b>1.0 INTRODUCTION</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b>1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY&nbsp;</b></div><div>Over the years and all through history it has been observed that opposite sex attracts, that is, man to woman, young boys to young girls, male child to female parent (Oedipus complex) and female child to male parent(Electra complex) (Lucas, 2000). This attraction could be for sexual gratification, sense of identity or a feeling of belonging. Literature have shown that these two parties (male and female) have always had a strong connection that is beyond the ordinary (Barbra, 2001). It is understandable that something,someone or an idea has drawn them together. Premarital sex is generally used in reference to individuals who are presumed not yet of marriageable age, or between adults who will presumably marry eventually, but who are engaged in sexual activity prior to marriage (Ramesh, 2008). It is simply put as engagement in sexuality before marriage.Public opinion polls have consistently shown that premarital sex is wrong and dangerous to health resulting in abortions, teenage mothers and sexually transmitted infections (Finer, 2007).&nbsp;</div><div> Premarital sex is sex before marriage and it is generally found among the youths. It involves fornication,rape, defilement and incest. The causes behind it have been established including curiosity among the youths, proof of manhood, lust, pornography and it adverse effects, insanity and sex promiscuity as well as moral decadenceamong the youths (Choe, 2004).Premarital sex is perceived and seen as a taboo in many cultures and considered a sin against man and God in most religion. It has become more commonly accepted by large portions of populaces in developed countries within the last few decades. The rise in premarital sex in Africa has resulted from a sexual revolution that came with western culture (Scott, 2005). A 2014 few study on global morality found that premarital sex was considered particularly unacceptable in predominantly Muslim nations such as Indonesia,Jordan, Pakistan and Egypt, each having over 90% disapproval whilst many people within western European nations were the most accepting with Spain,Germany and France having less than 10% disapproval (Rafael, 2015).&nbsp;</div><div> This is a demonstration of the fact that sex before marriage is a common term that most people are aware of, either they have heard the word or they have participated in premarital sex.According to a 2001 UNICEF survey, in 10 out of 12 developed nations with available data, more than two thirds of young people have had sexual intercourse while still in their teens. In Denmark, Finland, Germany,Iceland, Norway, The United Kingdom and The United States, approximately 25% of 15 years old, 50% of 17 year old have had sex. This goes a long way to prove that even before the students gain admission into the University a handful of then are already familiar with the experience of sexual intercourse so the trend continue even at the University level. Worldwide, rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among the youths are soaring; one-third of the 340 million new sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) each year occur in people under 25 years of age (Fernandez, 2010).</div><div> There are many behavioural problems among the adolescents that Nigerian society today has to contend with. Such problems include truancy,disobedience, drug offences, assault, insult, stealing, violent demonstrations,vandalism, examination malpractice, robbery and secret cult activities (Nnanchi,2003). Apart from these widely publicized behavioral problems, hetero sexual activities are listed among types of behavioral problem prevalent in Nigerian secondary schools. These are variously named in the literature as sex abuse, sexoffences, sexual misconduct, sexual immorality, sexual promiscuity, and sexual maladjustment (Ndu, 2000). When these individuals graduate from their secondary schools they do not only graduate with learned behavior and new ideology which they bring in to the University to explore their new gained freedom. Nnanchi (2003) argued that sexual intercourse from observation and from the reports and witness of young people who engage in them attest to the fact that it is highly pleasurable, both during and after the act, and as such an average person would be attracted to activities that induce pleasure. In recent time, it is no more new thing to hear that young people engage in premarital sex.This is equally the case with secondary school students in Anam for reasons such as curiosity, for pleasure sake, feeling of achievement, etc. In another&nbsp; bunch of tasks to do in order to correct anomaly of the students. This is because the study tends to explore the factors, perception and consequences of premarital sexuality; and these are important issues to the counselors.</div></div></div><div><div><div><div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>It will also be of importance to the religion community, media houses,and other relevant value and orientation outfits as it will tend to question their responsibilities on imparting core values of the society on the young ones.</div><div>&nbsp; Finally the results of this study can be used to strategize by education planners and policy makers for better alternatives on educating the students on sex. It will usher them with information on how to go about the unavoidable pressure associated with sex in secondary schools.</div><div><br></div><div><b>1.2 SCOPE OF STUDY&nbsp;</b></div><div>This research study is focused on examining the moral implication of premarital sex. It was carried among secondary school students in Anam, Anambra West Local Government Area of Anambra State. It is confined to the following: factors that influence premarital sex practices; consequences of indulgence in premarital sex practices; attitude of students with regards to premarital sex practices as well as the moral implication of students’ indulgence in premarital sex practices. The reason for the choice of the Anam is based on observed immoral behaviours of young people in the area by teaching practice students so as to explore more and find panacea to the issues raised above.</div></div><div><br></div><div> <div><b>1.4 RESEARCH QUESTION</b></div><div>This study ‘moral implication of premarital sex among secondary school students in Anam, Anambra West Local Government Area of Anambra State, was guided by the following research questions:</div><div>1. What are the factors that influence secondary school students’ premarital sex practices in Anam?</div><div>2. What are the consequences of secondary school students’ indulgence in</div><div>premarital sex practices in Anam?</div><div>3. What are secondary school students’ attitudes or perception with regards to premarital sex practices in Anam?</div><div>4. What are the moral implications of secondary school students’ with regards to premarital sex practices in Anam?</div> <br></div><div><br></div></div><div><div><div></div></div></div><div><div><div><br><br> </div></div></div></div><div><div></div></div></div><br> <br><p></p>