CORE Metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk Provided by CSCanada.net: E-Journals (Canadian Academy of Oriental and Occidental Culture, Canadian Research & Development Center of Sciences and Cultures) ISSN 1712-8056[Print] Canadian Social Science ISSN 1923-6697[Online] Vol. 12, No. 11, 2016, pp. 79-88 www.cscanada.net DOI:10.3968/8927 www.cscanada.org Perceived Factors Influencing Premarital Sexual Practice Among University Students in Niger Delta Universit, Bayelysa State, Nigeria Ekpenyong Nkereuwem Stephen[a],*; Ekpenyong Alfred Stephen[b] [a]Senior Lecturer, Department of Sociology, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. INTRODUCTION [b]Lecturer, Department of Sociology, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Sexual activities among students have been reported Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. to be increasing worldwide. Several studies in sub- *Corresponding author. Saharan Africa have also documented high and increasing Received 9 July 2016; accepted 14 October 2016 premarital sexual activities among university students Published online 26 November 2016 (World Health Organization, 2004). Pre marital sex is sexual activity practiced by persons who are unmarried Abstract and it has been considered taboo in some cultures and sin in numerousreligion. This study was carried out to determine the factors Mehmet (2006) concluded that among the background influencing premarital sexual practice among students variables considered mother education, age, ethnicity of Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa and employment status were among the most important State. Participants in the study were students of the Niger predicators of attitudes towards women premarital Delta university, both males and females. To collect activity. Allen (2003) had earlier reported that several the data for this study, the survey research design was polls have indicated peer pressure as a significant sexual adopted, 230 structured questionnaires were distributed activity predicator, while on the contrary, sexually to 230 respondents, out of which 216 questionnaires inducing drugs and alcohol have been identified as were collected. The analysis was done using the simple factors which may encourage unintended sexual activities percentages/tables and hypotheses were tested using (UNICEF, 2001). the chi-square statistical method. Finding reveals that In southwestern Nigeria, sex before now was regarded premarital sexual practice among students in the university as sacred and limited only to adult males and females is high The consequences of premarital sex on the students within marriage but today, many adolescent engage in were examined and among the consequences include; various delinquent behavior such as drinking of alcohol, unwanted pregnancy, poor academic performance, regret, smoking and premarital sexual activities (Alo, 2008). It health, effect, depression etc.. Based on the findings, the has also been noticed that most behavioral responses of study made recommendations on how to alleviate this young people habitually revolve around sexual activities problem. (Inyang, 2007). Engagement in the pleasure of romantic Key words: Perceived factors; Influence; Premarital intimacy, usually end up in sexually intercourse among sexual practice; University students; Niger delta; Bayelysa the students. Many reasons are often postulated by the state; Nigeria students who engage in reckless romantic and sexual explorations to justify their sexual behavior, some people Stephen, E. N., & Stephen, E. A. (2016). Perceived Factors believe that premarital sex is necessary because everyone Influencing Premarital Sexual Practice Among University is entitled to engage in sexual intercourse but the person Students in Niger Delta Universit, Bayelysa State, Nigeria. must have safe sex while others sees premarital sex to be Canadian Social Science, 12(11), 79-88. Available from: a taboo (Rena, 2006). http://www.cscanada.net/index.php/css/article/view/8927 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3968/8927 Premarital cohabitation has been reported as a common phenomenon among Nigeria university undergraduates 79 Copyright © Canadian Academy of Oriental and Occidental Culture Perceived Factors Influencing Premarital Sexual Practice Among University Students in Niger Delta Universit, Bayelysa State, Nigeria because sex is a predisposing factor in the initiation of iii. What are the perceived consequences of sexual activities (Alo, 2008). Furthermore, Ibrahim (2003), premarital sex among students of Niger Delta opined that the life style of university students have University? changed over the years because students, seem to value D. Research Hypothesis free sexual life on campus. The following is the hypothesis formulated to guide WHO (2001), stated that premarital behaviors of this study. university students, tend to pose major threats to life and i. There is no significant relationship between the future of the country as students involved in reckless gender of the respondents and their knowledge sexual activities. Public opinion polls have consistently about premarital sexual practice. shown that premarital sex is wrong and dangerous to ii. There is no significant relationship between age health, resulting in abortions, teenage mothers and and premarital sexual practice. sexually transmitted disease (Aaron, 2006). This study therefore, intends to explore the factors influencing premarital sexual practice among students of Niger Delta 1. LITERATURE REVIEWS University Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa Sate. 1.1 Engagement of Student in Premarital Sex A. Statement of the Problem The youth sexual behavior is sometimes linked to the Researchers have observed that there is prevalence of socio economic status of the family, primarily through the premarital sexual practices among youths in contemporary education and incomes of the parents. According to Nunn society, which leads to high incidence of unintended and Andrew (1994) young adults act in their own best pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. Most interest when deciding to engage in premarital sex. They writers and school authorities from upon students weigh the benefits from the joy of sex against its costs, the indulgence in premarital sex. Some communities carry possibility of having an out-of-wedlock birth. An out-of- out disciplinary action on youths who indulge in it. The wedlock birth has many potential costs for young women; federal health management Board engages in series of it may reduce her education and job opportunist. It may campaigns to create public awareness on the danger damage her prospects in the marriage market, she may and circulation of sexually transmitted diseases. But in feel shame. this study, the issue of premarital sexual practice among Similar investigation were also carried out intend students is fast emerging as a serial social and public to merely document levels of sexual practice, numbers health problem. Why do university students involve and ages of sexual partners, knowledge and use of actively in premarital sex? Are students aware of the contraceptives, in a study of Kenya population (Karman, consequences of premarital sex? Zulkiff, & Low, 2007) reported that a lot of Kenya B. Objective of the Study engages in premarital sex and the behavior is on the The purpose of the study is to determine the factors increase. However, Nigeria is a relatively cultural influencing premarital sexual practice among students conservative country, the topic of sex is still considered a of Niger Delta University Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa taboo between parents and children a child learns through State. the mass media, and peers unguided. The following is the specific objectives of the study. Premarital cohabitation has been reported a common i. To assess the knowledge of students on phenomenon among Nigeria university undergraduate. premarital sexual practice in Niger Delta Teens everywhere are not waiting until they are University. married to have sex. Teenagers are saying, “sex is fun” ii. To identify factors influencing premarital and “everybody is doing it”. Students who engage in sexual practice among students of Niger Delta premarital sex are more likely to suffer negatively from University. long-term physical, emotional, social and moral effects, iii. To determine the consequences of premarital than students who choose to wait. sexual practice among students of Niger Delta Onyemelukwe (1993) explained that in contemporary University. time, Nigeria youths have gained in the sex revolution C. Research Questions in Europe and America. The impact of alien ideas and For the purpose of this study, a few research questions cultures, mass communication and conditions of urban were formulated to guide the researcher in the process. life on the behavior and attitude of Nigeria adolescents They are the following cannot be over emphasized. There were extensive interest, i. What is the knowledge of students on premarital inquiry and curiosity in premarital sexual activities. sexual practice? The youths are exposed to sexual stimuli in magazines, ii. What are the factors influencing premarital television and the movies to a greater extent than before, sexual practice among students of Niger Delta thereby creating a general trend towards liberated attitude University? and values that encourage open discussion on sexuality. Copyright © Canadian Academy of Oriental and Occidental Culture 80 Ekpenyong Nkereuwem Stephen; Ekpenyong Alfred Stephen (2016). Canadian Social Science,