Peer Influence And Sexual Behaviour Of Adolescents In Jos-north Local Government Area Secondary Schools, Plateau State, Nigeria
Anande Vitalis Hunduh, Rose Ufedojo
Keywords: Peer influence, sexual behaviour, adolescents, persuasion, coercion
Abstract
One of the daunting challenges confronting Nigeria is status offence of juveniles and adolescents indulging in sexual activities which have implications on their reproductive health and educational pursuit. Regretably, attention has not been given to improving understanding on the role of peer influence which is one of major determinants of adolescents’ behaviour. Thus, this study examines peer influence on sexual behaviour of adolescents in secondary schools within Jos-North Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria. The study employed questionnaires, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions to collect data from students, teachers and parents from three private and public secondary schools within Jos-North Local Government Area. Respondents to the questionnaire consist of 224 female students and there were twelve focus group discussion sessions involving male and female student groups. There were twenty in-depth interviews involving staff, parents and students (both male and female). Findings revealed that peers influence sexual behaviour of adolescents in secondary schools through persuasion (using words or actions to encourage unwilling peers to have sex) and coercion (pressuring unwilling peers through threats or derision to have sex). The study’s findings established a need to incorporate sex education into curriculum of secondary schools to educate adolescents on best practices with reference to sex and human sexuality. Hence, the study recommends urgent multiple intra-sectoral and inter-sectoral interventions involving schools, religious institutions and the family to stem the trend of adolescents’ early sexual engagement among secondary school students in Jos-North Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria.
Author Biography
Anande Vitalis Hunduh Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
Rose Ufedojo Egwu Ekele Gabriel Estate Management Unit, Industrial Training Fund Headquarters Complex Miango Road, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria