Effects Of Premarital Sexual Relationships On The Academic Performance Of The Youths

1.2 Statement of the Problem

There appears to be a consensus among Nigerian researchers and observers that many traditional values are changing rapidly and for the worse (Naswen, 2001; Ezeh, 2001; Arumala, 2005 and Eruesegbefe, 2005). One area of life in which the decline of traditional values is obvious is in the area of sexuality. One major change has been the acceptance of pre-marital sex in a loving relationship.

Osisioma (1998) lamented that in Nigeria, culture no longer has a grip on the youth as our society seems to be plagued with decayed moral codes and values and so the sense of right and wrong is eroded. This seems to affect the youth, adolescents inclusive, more than any other group as this is manifested in the acceptance of sex before marriage, homosexual behaviour, lesbianism, abortion, drug addiction and indecent dressing. Apart from the blame apportioned to parents for their negligence as earlier mentioned, some people are of the opinion that adolescents are naturally open to the normal sex drive while this drive is incensed by the impact of permissive Western culture transmitted through the sexual stimuli conveyed by the mass media. Denga (1983) pointed out that sexually explicit movies expose young people to adult issues at an “impressionable age.” Others opine that the use of pornographic materials as well as knowledge and use of contraceptives, especially the condom that has been excessively advertised, has contributed immensely to the involvement of adolescents in sexual practices (Onuzulike, 2002). 

The researcher discovered that sometimes the students’ performances are on the negative as a result of premarital sexual relationships either among the students or with those outside the school. And these have gone a long way to hamper the educational development of the Nigerian youths in general and Kuje and its environs in particular.

1.3 Purpose of the Study

This study was aimed at finding out the attitude of a selected group of adolescents to ascertain whether it was in consonance with information reported in the literature. The study also tried to find out which factors influence the attitude of the adolescents toward sexual practices. This will then serve as a starting point for determining what interventions to carry out in order to help adolescents in their sexual adjustment. However, main purposes are highlighted thus: 

1. To identify the kinds of premarital sexual relationship among the youths.

2. To examine the causes of premarital sexual relationship among the youths.

3. To examine the effects of premarital sexual relationship on the educational development and performance of the youth.

4. To identify the possible means of curbing this menace among the youths so as to enhance and improve their academic development and performance in school.

1.4 Research Questions

 1. What kinds of premarital sexual relationship exist among the youths?

 2. What are the causes of premarital sexual relationships among the youths?

 3. How much have premarital sexual relationships affected the educational development and performances of our students?

4. What are the possible ways of overcoming premarital sexual relationship?

1.5 Significance of the Study

The result of this research work will be useful to the government. Because it will make the government to discover the consequences of premarital sexual relationships on the educational development of the youths and the role it needs to play to curb this menace in our society.

The youths themselves will benefit from this research work as it will enable them to identify the problems associated with premarital sexual relationships with particular reference to their educational development.

It will also benefit parents, because it will point out the areas through which the parents have been influencing premarital sexual relationships among the youths and the quota they need to contribute to resolving the problem.

The teachers will also gain from this research work as they are the tutors of the Nigerian youths. It will also show their own roles in curbing premarital sex among the youths they are teaching through guidance and counselling services.

1.6 Delimitation of the Study

This research work is delimited to the youths in Kuje Area Councilwhich covers Kuje town, Kiyi, Chibiri, Gaube, Rubochi, Gudu-karya. The decisions are specifically limited to the area of study even though there are other areas in the FCT that may have similar cons.  

1.7 Operational Definition of Terms 

Absenteeism: Is regular absence from work or school without a good reason.

Consequence: Is the relation between a result and its cause or something that follows as a result.

Effects: This could be the result of something probably after testing and evaluating them, then the result yielded or -outcome.

Existence: The state of being real, actual or current rather than imagined, invented or obsolete.

Environment: All the, people etc that influence the way in which people lives or works.

Immoral: Contrary to accepted moral principles.

Marriage: A state of union between a man and a woman, which has brought them together to live as husband and wife for procreation.

Motive: Is the reason that makes someone to do something especially when this reason is kept within .Or it is an impulse, a desire or a need that leads to an action.

Pandemic: it is a disease that spread nationwide or worldwide at a particular.

Performance: This is a notable action or achievement, which has to do with the strength or ability of something.

Prostitution: The ability to have sexual intercourse for money.

Pre-marital Sex: This is an act of indulging in sex between unmarried persons.

Rape: is an “unlawful carnal knowledge of a woman or girl, with or without her consent, or if the consent is obtained by force or by means of threats, intimidation of any kind, or by fear of harm or by means of false and fraudulent misrepresentation as to the nature of the act or in the case of a married woman, by impersonating her husband.” (Section 357 of the Nigerian Criminal Code)

Sex: it is a sexual intercourse.