SOLVING THE PROBLEM OF PREMARITAL SEX IN GASHUA COMMUNITY OF YOBE STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The problem of premarital sex in Nigeria is very worrisome. However, the studies on premarital sex were concentrated in the southern parts of the country with only few of them carried out in the northern parts. The study was conducted, therefore, to bridge the gap. The study utilized survey design with implementation of qualitative method. Fifteen interviews schedules were conducted across seven wards within Gashua community, the fifteen respondents who participated in the study were sampled through convenience sampling method under non-probability sampling technique. The study made use of content analysis to analyse the data collected from the interview schedules but simple percentages were used to analyse the set of bio-data collected from respondents. The findings show that 53.3% of respondents were male and 46.7% were female. Sixty percent were Muslims and 40,0% were Christians. The research findings revealed that premarital sex is a social problem because it is very high and it negates the values and norms of the society. Poverty, lack of sex education, curiosity about sex, bad parental care, indiscipline and media were identified as causes of premarital sex in Gashua community. Bad reputation, deterioration of physical appearance, teenage pregnancy, single motherhood, complications during child birth, unsafe abortion, disrespect to parents, likelihood of infidelity in marriage, unnecessary independence for the youth and spread of sexually transmitted diseases were all discussed by respondents as effects of premarital sex. The study recommends sex education within family, school and community, organized family structure, total abstinence from sex before marriage and strictness to religious rules and values.