The attitude of YOUTHS TOWARDs premarital sex
(a case study of afaha obong community)
Chapter one
Introduction
1.1 Background of the Study
Human culture in the 21st century has been transformed by a revolution in sexual values. Promiscuity is regarded by many as a virtue too pursue. Children who do not engage in premarital sex are perceived by their peers as stupid, boring and unsophisticated, with the result that children are trying sex at earlier ages than ever before (Rogers,D. 2008:30).
This has given birth to a culture of cohabitation, where since the 1960s cohabitation and premarital sex have been growing trends worldwide (Anderson and Alo 2007:251). Premarital sex as a lifestyle is on the rise throughout the world and Africa is no exception. They are fast becoming a kind of a norm amongst students and the working youths, who not only choose to share their lodging, but also their blanket (Dolbik-vorobei 2005 and Murray-Swant 2005).
Premarital sexual experience, many at times, leads to the misconception that sexual activity is to be enjoyed at whatever ways possible. Forced premarital lovemaking may lead to sexual-related problems and dilemma (Bene M. 2005:33).
Premarital Sex is not approved by any modern society yet, stories of adolescent fathers and mothers come out largely, especially from the highly civilized European nations. Modern lifestyle has opened multiple opportunities for boys and girls to interact closely and deeply in public and private places. They have ample chances to experiment the sexual activities which they witness through internet and electronic media (Akpan, E. and Sambo, A. 2007).
Many people usually find themselves wondering about sexual intercourse, ‘What is it?’ or ‘what is having sex really all about?’ being curious about sexual activity at youthful age is natural. This curiosity comes from many different sources, however, sex is something one learned by doing, thinking and reflecting on what happen instead of memorizing and repeating facts, experimenting with unprotected sexual act as a way to satisfy curiosity is not a healthy way for adolescent to learn about sexual activity (Chitamun and Finchilescu 2003)
Premarital sexual relationship is an important subject especially today where young people are influenced by the world’s standard of morality or immorality. The values and mores standards of the past are now ridiculed and / or ignored by many. Teaching on sexual purity before and after marriage is no longer held as virtue in contemporary societies. Many tend to strive for so called sexual freedom, sex rules or norms are among teenagers and adults (Chitamun and Finchilescu 2003).
Josh McDowell, (2007) maintained that the main goal behind bringing In the sexual restriction is that each member of the society should be treated with dignity and not as instrument of fulfilling lust.
Grisky, R (2005) maintained that sex education is needed by every young person in virtually every school across the country. Sex education is needful and necessary for our young ones. Being mindful of the exposure given to our young ones in schools, media and among peers sex education teaches our young ones about sexuality intimacy but also enlightens them on the reproductive system, birth control and sexual transmitted diseases (STDs). Sex education provides knowledge. Knowledge is information and information can boost confidences. It has been noticed that well-informed children anatomy handle puberty better than the uninformed ones. Sex education affects children attitude positively, each sexes (male/female) becomes more tolerant of the other behavioral pattern and opinion.
A sexually oriented child learns to believe in the quality of man and women, sacrament of marriage and parental responsibilities with well accepted sex education (Bene M. 2007). There is usually a rate of unwanted pregnancy and spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) to the pure, all things are pure when it is passed down to the children from a pure heart, and they too receive it with a pure heart (Akpan E. and Sambo, A. 2007)
Keeves, J.P (1999) sees sex education as ‘involving a comprehensive course of action by the school, calculated to bring about the socially desirable attitudes, practices and personal conduct on the part of children and adults, that will best protect the individual as a human and the family as a social institution. This sex education may also be described as sexuality education which means that it encompasses education about all aspects of one’s sexuality, including sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), sexual orientation, unwanted pregnancies and how to avoid them. The various aspects of sexuality education are considered appropriate in school depending on the age of the student or what the children are able to comprehend at a particular point in time.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The growing numbers of youths in recent time involving in premarital sex have become an issue for serious concern, not only to the communities but to the world at large. Again, the loss of interest in controlling oneself till marriage has become a problem worthy of investigation. Premarital sex have raised a lot of issues the most outstanding being the sexuality-related problems. This research therefore attempts to examine the attitude of Annang youths towards premarital sex
1.3 Objective of the Study
The main objective of this study is to examine the socio-cultural factors that affect the attitude of Annang youths toward premarital sex. Other subsidiary objectives include the following:
1. To examine child rearing practices in Annang society
2. To assess how exposure to social media influence attitudes of Annang youths towards premarital sex
3. To determine whether or not peer group can influence premarital sex
4. To examine how exposure to formal education has influence attitude of Annang youths towards premarital sex
5. To examine the effects of premarital sex in the society
6. To suggest ways of solving the problems of premarital sex
1.4 Research Question
1) What are the socio-cultural factors that affect the attitudes of Annang youths towards premarital sex?
2) How can exposure to social media influence attitude of youths towards premarital sex?
3) How peers group influence attitude of youths towards premarital sex?
4) Can exposure to formal education influence attitude of youths towards premarital sex?
5) What are the consequences of premarital sex?
6) What are the possible solutions to the problem of premarital sex?
DEFINTION OF TERMS
Attitude: It is defined as a way individual thinks, feels, either in aggressive or in a forceful way.
Youth: it is defined as the periods of one’s life during when one is a child, before fully mature to adult.
Sexual Intercourse: it is defined as the physical act of sex between two people of the opposite sexes.
Premarital sex: it is defined as an act engaged in by the opposite sexes who are never married
.