Abstract:
This study focuses on the socio-cultural and economic factors that explain premarital
sexual behaviour among adolescents. Specifically, the study attempts to:
1. investigate the role of parents and other family members III providing
counseling and guidance to the adolescents on sexual matters;
2. identify the kind of knowledge and information that adolescents have about
sexual behaviour;
3. identify common mass media information with which adolescents identify in
relation to sexual behaviour;
4. identify economic favours which Predispose adolescents to pre-marital sex,
and, finally;
5. investigate the role of the community leaders in providing counseling and
guidance to the adolescents on sexual behaviour.
Pre-marital sexual behaviour among adolescents in this study is explained
within the context of two theoretical frameworks: symbolic interaction and
socialization theory. The study used qualitative research methodology. A semi(
structured questionnaire was administered to 100 randomly sampled primary and
secondary school students. Additional data were obtained from four focus group
discussiorswith the adolescents and indepth interviews with eight key informants.
Other methods included non-participant observation and a review of ethnographic
literature.
Study findings suggest that pre-marital sexual behaviour among adolescents
can be explained by a combination of socio-cultural and economic factors. The
findings indicate that there is minimal interaction in terms of guidance and counseling
between adolescents and other family members on sexual matters. Results further
suggest that adolescents have misinformed information and knowledge about sexual
behaviour. A majority of the adolescents have information which indicates that sexual
activity is fun.
Findings also indicate that adolescents identify mostly with sex - related
messages from the mass media. In addition, economic favours are observed as a
driving force towards exposure to sex activity among these adolescents. On the other - - hand, community leaders and teachers pIa) a minimal role in providing information
on sexual behaviour.
Based on the study findings, it is strongly recommended that a concerted effort
be made among all individuals and groups involved with adolescents at the community
level such as the Church, Schools, Parents and Peers to provide accurate sex related
information to the adolescents with a view to making them understand their sexuality
in order to make informed decisions.
