1.1 Introduction
Premarital sexual behavior is a sexual activities practiced by persons who are unmarried and it has been considered taboo in some cultures and sin in numerous religion (Stephen & Stephen, 2016). Sex being a universal term one would expect a great deal to be known about it. The family institution is where sexual activities or intercourse takes place between two adults if opposite sex is not confined to young people alone; a good number of people who are not married are also vulnerable to pre-marital sex. This is evidence by the large number of unintended pregnancies many of which get terminated in back street clinics (Alo, 2008), the high rate of sexual transmitted infected among the 15-24 years old and an increasing number of girls dropping out of school due to unwanted pregnancies.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitation of the study and Definition of terms.
1.2 Background of Study
University campuses offer a unique environment for students either to pursue a traditional courtship style or engage in a courtship style that is driven by pre-marital sexual intercourse. According to Merriam Webster dictionary, courtship is the activities that occur when people are developing a romantic relationship that could lead to marriage or the period of time when such activities occur. Premarital sex is sexual activity practiced by people who are unmarried. Historically, premarital sex was considered a moral issue which was taboo in many cultures and considered a sin by a number of religions, but since about the 1960s, it has become more widely accepted, especially in Western countries.
Several studies have been carried out on the perception of students on courtship considering its effect on pre-marital sex (Bogle, 2008). These studies indicate that young men and women are more frequently engaging in casual sex or what is known as ‘campus courtship’ or ‘hooking up’ than the traditional courtship where lovers are not to engage in pre-marital sex. Hooking up carries a level of ambiguity but has been generally defined as a sexual encounter, anything from kissing to having sex, especially between young men and women without implying any marital commitment.
The large percentage of divorces each year, non-marital pregnancies and pre-marital sex has all dramatically changed the traditional family structure. Courtship which was a trend that has been present for decades in Nigeria became popular as a result of western education. Courtship among undergraduates has changed the realm of male and female interaction as it used to be in the traditional African society. Prior to the colonial era, men had to call upon women and be invited to visit the woman’s home under strict supervision from the family.
This type of courtship was a form of traditional courtship that had very clearly delineated guidelines that, men and women were expected to follow. However, western education has totally redefined the perception of young men and women about courtship and sex before married. The university environment provides the opportunity for young individuals to go out to places away from the watchful eyes of the family and community members and engage in another kind of campus courtship popularly known as ‘Hooking Up’ (Hettlinger, 2007).
Several factors such as the mass media, the social media, internet, peers, changing family traditions, money, the university environment, among others has influenced how young men and women think and participate in courtship alongside modern social changes. The influence of this perception on courtship has influenced undergraduates’ sexual behavior, particularly in the areas of courtship and its relationship with premarital sex.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Undergraduate Perception on Courtship and Its Influence on Pre-Marital Sex.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that pre-marital sexual experiences lead to the misconception that sex is to be enjoyed at whatever ways possible. Students lives in community, where they meet people from different background as such they are exposed to Peer group influence and a desire to meet up with certain standard.
The literature regarding the undergraduates’ perception on courtship and its influence on pre-marital sex is limited. This research seeks to fill the vacuum by examining the students view on how courtship should be and on if pre-marital sex should be discouraged with special reference to peers, university environment, family background and the social media have any significant effect on undergraduates’ perceptions on courtship and its influence on pre-marital sex.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to examine the Undergraduate Perception on Courtship and Its Influence on Pre-Marital Sex. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To examine the undergraduates’ perceptions on courtship and its influence on pre-marital sex;
- To ascertain how courtship is being practiced among the undergraduates;
- To identify the factors leading pre-marital sex among undergraduates; and
- To determine the solution to the problem encountered with the adult student through pre-marital sex during courtship.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- What are the undergraduates’ perceptions on courtship and its influence on pre-marital sex?
- How is courtship being practiced among the undergraduates?
- What are the factors leading pre-marital sex among undergraduates?
- What is the solution to the problem encountered with the adult student through pre-marital sex during courtship?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: There are no significant factors instigating pre-marital sex among undergraduates in the area under study
- H1: There are significant factors instigating pre-marital sex among undergraduates in the area under study
1.7 Significance of Study
The following are the significance of this study:
- The outcome of this study will educate the general public and education administrators on what students feel about courtship and its effect on premarital sex as this will form a guide to managing the issues of premarital sex among the students.
- This research will also serve as a resource base to other scholars and researchers interested in carrying out further research in this field subsequently, if applied will go to an extent to provide new explanation to the topic.
1.8 Scope of Study
This study on the undergraduates’ perceptions on courtship and its influence on pre-marital sex will cover all various types of courtship approaches that exist in the Nigerian universities. It will also cover the views of the undergraduates about its effect on premarital sex.
This research study is focused on the prestigious Federal University of Benin located in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. The research shall be carried out using a descriptive survey research design.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint:
The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Financial Constraint:
Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
- Initial Cooperation Delay from Respondents:
A particular limitation of this work came as a result of the respondent refusal to offer their cooperation at the initial time they were contacted. This contributed in making the success of this research study difficult.
1.10 Operational Definition of Terms
Pre-Marital Sex:
It is the sexual activity practiced by persons who are unmarried.
Sexuality:
It is the capacity to have erotic experiences and responses.
Marital Affairs:
It is the relationship between a man and woman who are legally married.
Depression:
It is a state of mind producing serious, long-term lowering of enjoyment of life or inability to visualize.
