Perception Of Premarital Sexual Relationship Among Students In Tertiary Institutions: A Case Study Of Benue State University

The study uncovers how students in tertiary institutions perceive premarital sexual relationships: A Case Study of Benue State University Makurdi. The Study specifically determines youth’s perception of premarital sexual relationships as well as the factors that influence youth’s attitude towards premarital sex, it also seek to find out the consequences of youth’s involvement in premarital sexual relationship, and also highlight media through which premarital sexual relations can be reduced to the minima. The study employed the diffusion theory also known as the diffusion of innovations theory in explaining youth’s perception of premarital sexual relationships, the factors and consequences of premarital sexual relationships. Similarly, a Multi-stage sampling technique: cluster to simple random, and to simple random was employed in drawing respondents. Consequently, students between the ages of 18-35 in Benue State University numbering 400 were randomly selected from the 8 faculties via the use of Taro Yamane's sample size determination formula. Data collected using structured questionnaire and was analyzed using simple percentages and descriptive technique for more clarity. The study revealed that: the general perception of youth on premarital sex is negative. But most of these youths engage in premarital sex even though they have agreed it is wrong. They also believe that abstinence is best way to avoiding premarital sex. The study also revealed that: lack of self-esteem, the desire to feel among peers, the influence of pornography, alcohol consumption, intake of hard drugs, the desire for money, the youth’s best way of showing love and affection and indulging just for the fun of it are the causal factors to youth’s indulgence in premarital sexual relationship in Benue State University. Similarly, findings also validate that: premarital sex leads to unwanted pregnancies, STDs, socio stigma and school dropout. By conclusion, the study recommends total abstinence from sex, parents to discourage children from premarital sex through sex education, good parental upbringing, creation of awareness on the dangers of premarital sex, as well as their teachers through guidance and counseling and community leaders by creating opportunities for youth training on the implications of social vices, especially pre-marital sex and religious institutions should incorporate sex education in their sermons and teachings.