EFFECT OF PRE-MARITAL AFFAIRS ON STUDENT ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.0        BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Given that sex is a universal phrase, one would expect to learn a lot about it. However, this is not the case, in part because sexual behaviors are regulated in all communities (Zabin, 2007). Pre-marital sex is not limited to young individuals; many persons who are not married are prone to pre-marital sex (Elias, 2008). The significant number of unexpected pregnancies, many of which are terminated in back street clinics (Alo, 2008), the high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections among the 15-24 year olds, and the rising number of females dropping out of school due to undesired pregnancies are all proof of this. According to a new survey produced by the CSA (Center for the Study of Adolescents), the age of sexual debut has dropped to an all-time low of between 8 and 12 years. In fact, 8 out of every 10 young people will have had a sexual debut before they turn 20. This raises the likelihood of unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted illnesses, and school dropout (Liu, 2007). Pre-marital illnesses, as well as sexually transmitted diseases, have negative repercussions. Females have greater rates of (together with HIV). When a teenage girl falls pregnant, she puts herself and her unborn child in even more danger. Because a young girl's body will not have matured to the point where she may safely give birth. Even if a young woman avoids substantial health repercussions, she must nevertheless shoulder significant parental obligations (Lloris, 2006). Apart from the fact that she drops out of school and, except in exceptional circumstances, may never return (AIO, 2008), modern society is growing more free in many respects, making premarital sex more common. Pre-marital sex appears to be producing a slew of societal problems, including disorganized households and a deterioration of public morality. The lack of social and economic opportunities for girls and women, as well as the demands placed on them, combined with gender inequalities in the education system (Mensch and Lioyd 1998), may lead to unsatisfactory school experiences, poor academic performance, and a resignation to or preference for early childhood. Although pregnancy is commonly assumed to disrupt adolescent females' education, reproductive behavior among teens may be endogenous to school completion, as many of the same variables contribute to dropout and early childbearing (Lioyd, 1999). Kiragu (1998) theorizes that in Sub-Saharan Africa, schooling may actually enhance sexual initiations, owing to the fact that it tends to remove young people from the supervision of traditional caretakers. As a result, adolescents must navigate sexual maturity and sexual initiation in a different setting than their predecessors in previous generations (Mensch, 1998). The age at sexual beginning among young women has either kept the same or increased in tandem with the trend toward an increase in the age at which they marry. Simultaneously, in many nations, there has been a movement toward an increase in the number of adolescents starting sex before marriage at ages when they may still be in school (mensch, 2006). The topic of student attitudes about premarital sex is fraught with conflicts and ambiguities. Many of these arguments are just that: views that must be backed up with facts and data before being accepted. Given how involved undergraduates are in their everyday lives, beginning in the post-primary years, it's not unexpected that one out of every four undergraduates is unclear whether it's proper or bad to have a sexual connection before to marriage (Adepoju, 2006). The fact that most teens or young adults believe premarital sex is necessary for the relationship's survival or stability does not mean it is a legal or customary right. However, the media's frequent promotion and portrayal of sex outside of marriage as a regular every day event appears to be a motivating element for those teenage or young adults, putting the repercussions behind them (Soyinbo, 2005). Furthermore, having sex in a relationship is a life-changing event that greatly intensifies the depth of the relationship, and thus the intensity of the hurt of separation, which typically entails the construction of higher and stronger walls to project one when the next relationship comes along (Lioyd, 2007). Although the Bible, church fathers' contributions, and current theologians all agree that sexual relations belong only in marriage, most undergraduate students who engage in premarital sex believe that it helps them evaluate their own sexuality, understand the opposite sex on a deeper level, and, most importantly, makes them feel like they belong or are a part of University life. Financial difficulties, peer pressure, erroneous beliefs, fear of molestation, intimidation, and, above all, environmental influences are some of the causes of premarital sex. Indeed, it is impossible to rule out the possibility that sexual relationships promote courtship and function as a lubricant in the maintenance of a marriage. However, its disadvantage and result cause psychological and emotional anguish since it makes it impossible to build genuine trust. "If I could obtain her easy that way, who knows if there isn't someone else," Adeyemi (2005) says. It also exposes one to unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted illnesses such as HIV/AIDS, Gonorrhea, Staphylococcus, and so on. It also adds to, and above all, stigmatizes the individual engaged, as they are viewed as flirts, prostitutes, and so on by the general public. Since then, the term has altered to refer to any sexual interactions a person has had previous to marriage (Femi, 2007). This takes the focus off of who the relationships are with. Unmarried people who don't have access to knowledge on reproductive health and birth control are more likely to become pregnant as teenagers and develop sexually transmitted infections. There is some uncertainty in the term. It's unclear if pre-marital sex between persons who are legally prohibited from marrying on the sexual relations of someone who is not interested in marriage is deemed pre-marital (Fumi, 2006). Sexual abstinence before marriage is highly prized in some cultures, such as many modern-day western countries. Pre-marital sex has been practiced by at least a small percentage of people in the past. Although the number of those who were prepared to acknowledge to doing so was not usually large. According to a research in Nigeria, 61 percent of males and 12 percent of women born before 2002 acknowledged to having premarital sex. The gender disparity may be due to double standards surrounding sexual activity admittance.

1.2       STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Adults' mental growth can be harmed by a variety of factors, including sex. Premarital sexual encounters can sometimes lead to the belief that sex should be enjoyed in any way imaginable (Charles, 2008). Pre-marital relationships that are forced might lead to mental sadness and perplexity (Uche, 2007). Another risk is illness transmission, as premarital couples may be unaware of diseases transmitted through premarital encounters (Uju, 2005). Most extramarital encounters can lead to emotional imbalances and feelings of guilt. The purpose of this study is to see how premarital sex affects education in the Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State.

1.3    OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY 

The study's goals are to:

 i. Investigate the reasons for and causes of adult premarital affairs.

ii. Determine the impact of premarital affairs on adult students' academic achievement at Federal College of Education Osiele, Abeokuta.

iii. Learn about the dangers associated with extramarital encounters.

iv. Use pre-marital affairs to figure out how to solve the situation that the adult student is having.

1.4        RESEARCH QUESTIONS

i. What are the reasons  and causes of adult premarital affairs?

ii. What is  the impact of premarital affairs on adult students' academic achievement at Federal College of Education Calabar South Cross River?

iii. What are  dangers associated with extramarital encounters.

iv. How can  pre-marital affairs be used to figure out how to solve the situation that the adult student is having?

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Although there is a lot of research on the issue, pre-marital affairs of adult students is a new one. In our educational establishments. The study will raise students' knowledge of the different issues that lead to premarital affairs. As a result of this, the school administration will be more sensitive to providing proper protection to the pupils. As a result, research will benefit institution management, individuals, and society as a whole. It will also assist school counselors in doing their duties efficiently. The study will teach society and individuals the necessity of avoiding premarital sex relationships. The research will also help to reduce sexually transmitted illnesses and undesired pregnancies. The study, on the other hand, can help raise awareness about the relationship that leads to premarital sexual relationships in higher education. It will lower the rate of premarital sex and encourage young people to "Zip-up" and be abstinent until they marry.

1.6        SCOPE/DELIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The research on the effect of premarital affairs on academic achievement is confined to students at the Federal College of Education in Calabar South, CrossRiver.

1.7        DEFINITION OF TERMS

Sexuality is defined as the ability to have and respond to sexual experiences and responses.

Marital Affairs:  refers to a connection between a lawfully married man and woman.

Diseases: A bodily or mental abnormality that causes discomfort or malfunction.

Depression is a mental condition that causes a significant, long-term decrease in pleasure of life or an inability to envision.

Pre-marital Affairs: This is the sexual activity that unmarried people engage in before they marry.

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