ABSTRACT
This
study investigated the attitude of parents and teachers towards the teaching of
sex education in secondary schools in Ilorin
metropolis. The independent variables were gender, age place of residence,
education status, family type and religion.
Two
hundred respondents (eighty responded among the parents in their places of work
while one hundred and twenty respondents among the teachers in the various
schools respectively) were randomly selected through attitude of parents and teachers toward sex
education questionnaire (APTTSEQ). Data collected were analysed using frequency
count, percentage and t-test.
The
research works revealed that students have high knowledge of sex education. On
the comparison, there were no significant differences in the attitudes of
teachers and parents toward the teaching of sex education on the basis of sex,
age group, education status, family type and religion. However significant
difference observed on the basis of location.
It
was recommended that emphasis should be placed on creating awareness on sex
education stemming the flood of teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted disease
and HIV/AIDS. This requires joint effort of parents, teachers, curriculum
planners and even government.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CONTENTS PAGE
TITLE PAGE i
CERTIFICATION ii
DEDICATION
iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iv
ABSTRACT vi
TABLE OF CONTENTS vi
LIST OF TABLES ix
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
Background to the Study 1
Statement of the Problem 5
Purpose of the Study 8
Research Questions 9
Research Hypotheses 10
Significance of the Study 11
Delimitation of the Study 13
Definition of Terms (Operational
Definition) 14
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED
LITERATURE
Consequence of Sexual Activities
among Adolescents 17
History of Sex Education 32
Concept and Attitude of Sex Education 35
Attitude towards Sex Education 39
Attitude of Parents towards Sex
Education 39
Attitude of Teachers towards Sex
Education 42
Need for Sex Education 44
Appraisal of the Reviewed Literature 52
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHOD
Research Design 54
Population 55
Sample and Sampling Technique 55
Research Instrument 57
Validity of the Instrument 58
Reliability of the Instrument 58
Administration of the Instrument 59
Method of Data Analysis 60
CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Presentation of Results 61
Hypotheses Testing 65
Discussion of the Findings 70
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary 73
Conclusion 75
Implications of the Study 77
Recommendations 78
Limitations to the Study 80
Suggestion for Further Studies 80
REFERENCES 81
APPENDIX 84
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Distribution of Respondents on the Basis of
Gender 62
Table 2: Distribution of Respondents on the Basis
of Age 62
Table 3: Distribution of Respondents on the Basis of
Residence 63
Table 4: Distribution of Respondents on the basis
of Educational Status 63
Table 5: Distribution of Respondents on the basis
of Family Type 64
Table 6: Distribution of Respondents on the Basis
of Religion 65
Table 7: means, standard deviation and t-test value
of teachers attitude towards the teaching
of sex education on the basis of gender 68
Table 8: Analysis of variance on the attitude of
teachers towards sex education on the
basis of age 66
Table 9: Means, standard deviation and the t-test
value of the parents towards teaching
of sex education on the basis of place of
residence 67
Table 10: Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) of teachers’
attitude towards the teaching of sex
education on the basis of educational
status 68
Table 11: Mean, standard deviation, calculated
t-value on the attitude of parents towards
sex education on the basis of family type 69
Table 12: Mean, standard deviation and t-value on
attitude of parent towards sex education
on the basis of Religion 69
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background
to the Study
Sex
Education is a broad term used to describe education about human sexual
anatomy, sexual reproduction, sexual intercourse reproductive heat, emotional
relationship and so on. Sex Education may also be described as “sexuality
education referring to all aspects of sexuality, including information about
family planning reproduction (fertilization conception and development of
embryo and fetus through child birth).
Sex
education, which is sometimes called sexuality education, is the process of
acquiring information and forming attitudes and beliefs about sex. Sex
education is about developing young people’s skills so that they make informed
choices about their behaviour, feel confidents and competent about acting on
informed choices.
However,
it is widely accepted that young people have a right to sex education. This is
because it is a means by which they help to protect themselves against abuse,
exploitation unintended pregnancies, Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD and
HIV). It also argued that providing sex education helps to meet young peoples
right to information about matter that affect them.
With
regards to the attitude of parents towards teaching of sex education to their
adolescent girls, the issue still remains one that is approached as sacred sex
is probably one area of our lives about
which we know so little and whatever little we happen to know are in bits and
pieces through sources like friends, acquaintance etc. As important as sex is in our life’s, parents,
elders and teachers in Kwara
State and especially in
Ilorin Metropolis hardly play any significant role in providing vital
knowledge.
Since
talking about sex is more or less a taboo in the Ilorin society the adolescents cannot freely
approach his/her parents for guidance. Also, those who seek guidance from
parents are not satisfied because they later try to evade discussion or are not
able to give satisfactory answers. A few of them try to gather information
through books, films not have access to such information. Many times, the ado1lescent
receives wrong information and these myths and misconceptions are carried
through out their life time.
Similarly,
the rural mothers and the urban mothers feel hesitant towards providing sex
knowledge to their children. According to them, the girls can get information
through their friends and elder sister. To them sex education should be
imparted to girls only on the verge of getting married. The attitude of
teachers towards sex education in Ilorin Metropolis can still be described Luke
warm goal of sexuality education is the promotion of sexual health by providing
learners with opportunities to develop a positive and factual view of sexuality
and indeed sexual health. This on the long run contributes in the prevention of
HIV/AIDS.
However,
adolescence is a period when young people experience changes in their bodies among
which is the development of new sexual feeling, which they may not understand.
This is also the period when most of them are in secondary schools or higher
institutions they therefore need information about assurance about what is
happening to them. Children and teenagers are exposed to a barrage of
information related to sexuality which will require guidance from families and
schools for health, sexual development and responsible behaviours.
Besides
due to impact of western civilization, there is need to supplement the training
of people in the art of family life by their parents and family members with a
school based sexuality education programme. This prompted the Federal Government
of Nigeria in 1999 through the National Council on Education to Incorporate
Sexuality Education into the National School Curriculum. This has generated
heated debates especially among parents. There is also the likelihood that even
teachers might not perceive sexuality, education in the light of reducing
sexual promiscuity and it attendant complication like sexually transmitted
disease and HIV/AIDS.
Despite
the perceived benefits, the feared risk of exposure to early sex ranked high
among the teachers with the attendant sexual promiscuity as the risk of
teaching sexuality education in secondary schools. (Comprehensive Sexuality
Education. Trainers Resource Manual Action Health Incorporated 2003: 4- 5),
Teachers Attitude to Sexuality Education is varied and was found to be related
to some variables such as age and level of education. According to Gordon Dickman
(1977), sex education role. New York,
public affairs committee stated that age affected the willingness of the
teachers to teach sexuality education though not significantly.
The
older teachers may have adolescent children and may be willing to train and
impact sexuality knowledge to students as this will help them in teaching their
children at home. However, exposure to higher levels of education especially
University Education, improves teachers knowledge and attitude towards
sexuality education. This was brought to the fore in this study as there was
significant relationship obtaining higher professional qualifications and
willingness to teach sexuality education.
Statement
of the Problem
In Nigeria,
a number of studies have shown that sexual activity among youth is not only
high but rising. (Oladipo 1983), the researcher therefore acknowledges the need
for the teaching of sex education in secondary school curriculum because it will
help the adolescents to understand many of the problems associated with sexual
relationship. Such education programmes will reduce the rate of unwanted
pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases abortion and some other sex related
offences.
There
appears to be a consensus among Nigerian researchers and observers that many
traditional values are changing rapidly and for the worse (Naswen, 2001; Ezeh,
2001; Armala, 2005 and Eruesegbefe, 2005), one area of life in which the
decline of traditional values is obvious in the area of sexuality. One major
change has been the acceptance of pre-marital sex in a loving relationship.
Osisioma (1998), lamented that in Nigeria, culture no longer has a
grip on the youth as our society seems to be plagued with decayed moral codes
and values and so the sense of right and wrong is eroded. This seems to affect
the youth, adolescents inclusive more than any other group as this is
manifested in the acceptance of sex before marriage, homosexual, lesbianism,
abortion, drug addiction and indecent dressing.
Denga
(1983), pointed out that sexuality explicit movies expose young people to adult
issue at an “Impressionable age”. Other opine that the well use of pornographic
materials as well as knowledge and use of contraceptives, especially the condom
that has been excessively advertised, has contributed immensely to the
involvement of adolescents in sexual practices (Onuzulike, 2002).
Since
both homes and the school have complementary roles in imparting appropriate sex
education to students there is need to study the attitude of parents and
teachers towards the teaching of sex
education to students there is need to
study the attitude of parents and teachers towards the teaching of sex
education in secondary schools. The occurrences of pregnancies in the 12 – 19
years age group place this population at the risk with regards to the medical
complication, probability of education completion. Financial disadvantages
resulting from limited employment opportunities and social isolation of child
by the parents that might eventually manifest as child abuse. The high rate of
divorce un-happy, sexual, maladjustment, sexually transmitted diseases,
prostitution and crimes such as rape in our society etc. testify to the need to
have sex education in Nigeria
secondary schools. Lack of sex education leads to failure in some instances, it
may eventually leads to suicide attempts, death of some youth (Corey/Mccarest,
1981), there is need for increased education of adolescents, regarding the
development of successful intervention strategies for coping with issues of
pregnancy during the adolescent years.
Purpose
of the Study
The man purpose of the study is to find out the attitude
of parents and teachers towards the teaching of sex education in secondary
schools in Ilorin Metropolis. The study also aims at finding out whether
variables of gender age, place of residence, educational status, family types
and religion have significant influences on parents and teachers, attitudes
towards the teaching of sex education in secondary schools in Ilorin
Metropolis.
Research
Questions
Evolving
from the problem of study, the researcher attempt to find answer to the
following questions:
1.
Is
there any significant difference in the attitude of parents towards the
teaching of sex education in secondary school in Ilorin metropolis on the basis of gender?
2.
Is
there any significant difference in the attitude of parents towards the
teaching of sex education in secondary school in Ilorin metropolis on the basis of age group?
3.
Is
there any significant difference in the attitude of parents towards the
teaching of sex education in secondary school in Ilorin metropolis on the basis of residence?
4.
Is
there any significant difference in the attitude of teachers towards the
teaching of sex education in secondary school in Ilorin metropolis on the basis of educational
status?
5.
Is
there any significant difference in the attitude of parents towards the
teaching of sex education in secondary school in Ilorin metropolis on the basis of gender?
6.
Is
there any significant difference in the attitude of parents towards the
teaching of sex education in secondary school in Ilorin metropolis on the basis of religion?
Research
Hypothesis
1.
There
is no significant difference in the attitude of parents towards the teaching of
sex education in secondary school in Ilorin
metropolis on the basis of age.
2.
There
is no significant difference in the attitude of parents towards the teaching of
sex education in secondary school in Ilorin
metropolis on the basis of family type.
3.
There
is no significant difference in the attitude of parents towards the teaching of
sex education in secondary school in Ilorin
metropolis on the basis of residence.
4.
There
is no significant difference in the attitude of parents towards the teaching of
sex education in secondary school in Ilorin
metropolis on the basis of educational status.
5.
There
is no significant difference in the attitude of parents towards the teaching of
sex education in secondary school in Ilorin
metropolis on the basis of gender.
6.
There
is no significant difference in the attitude of parents towards the teaching of
sex education in secondary school in Ilorin
metropolis on the basis of religion.
Significance
of the Study
Many situations that create behaviour problems in
adolescent such as juvenile delinquency, sexual misbehaviour, rape lesbianism,
violence etc. are intimately or distantly related to the psychological and
physiological changes that occur at puberty (Akinboye, 1984). In culture,
adults feel that it is unethical to discuss sex matters with the adolescents,
thereby leaving them to seek information on their own. This study wants to
investigate the attitude of parents and teachers in secondary school in Ilorin metropolis.
The
result of this study will be of great benefit to parents as well as teachers,
in helping to promote positive attitude towards the teaching of sex There is no
significant difference in the attitude of parents towards the teaching of sex
education in secondary school in Ilorin metropolis on the basis of in secondary
school is positive. They will have a better understanding of their adolescents
and be able to give them the basic knowledge they need to know about human
sexuality. There by reducing the rate of unwanted pregnancies and premature
death among the adolescents. Also adolescents themselves will benefit greatly
in that, if parents and teacher attitude is positive they will gain freedom in
discussing any sex related issues with them and thereby get answers to numerous
questions that may be bothering them about human sexualities, thereby
preventing them from getting wrong information/counsellor from their
inexperienced peer groups.
On
the other hand teachers, school authorities curriculum planners, government and
non-Government Organizations (N.G.O) health professionals and the society at
large will benefit. The basic sex education that the adolescent had received
from home, schools and the understanding of their parents and teachers will
compliment their efforts. Adolescent and others therefore need to learn to
appreciate what these changes are, and to develop means of handling them. The
knowledge of sex education in our secondary school cannot be over emphasized
because the knowledge of sex education makes the adolescents become aware of
the developmental changes.
Delimitation
of the Study
The
sample of the study will be restricted to parents and teachers (both makes and
females) of secondary school students in Ilorin Metropolis. This study focuses
on the attitude of parents and teachers towards the teaching of sex education
in secondary schools in Ilorin
metropolis. Similarly, the study is interested in the variable of gender, age,
place of residence, educational status, family type and religion as they
influence parents and teachers attitude towards the teaching of sex education
in secondary schools in Ilorin
metropolis were considered.
Definition
of Term (Operational Definition)
For
the purpose of this study, the following terms would be operationally defined
as used in this study.
Abortion: Abortion refers to termination of
pregnancy before the foetus is viable.
Adolescent:
This refers to young person between
age of 14 to 19 years the term will be inter changeably used with “youth” in
this study.
Contraception:
This is the use of devices or drugs
to pervert conception in sexual intercourse.
Education:
A systematic instruction that will
bring about changes in the life of an individual, a gradual process of
impacting knowledge.
Gender:
This is refers to being male or
female.
Masturbation:
The sexual self stimulation (usually
to organs) manually or other stimulation of the genital organs. Menarche; the
first menstruation circle of a girl.
Puberty:
The stage in life when a person
reaches sex maturity and becomes capable of reproduction.
Sex:
Is probably one area of our life
about which we know so little sex inhibits and pieces through sources like
friends acquaintance on cheap sex books.
Sex
Education: That
aspect of education that makes the adolescents become knowledgeable about sex
and sexually behaviour and helps to develop wholesome attitude towards those
behaviours.
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