Abstract
The study assessed the attitudes of undergraduate students toward premarital sex in the University of Benin.
This study adopted the survey research design. The study population comprised 13,000 undergraduate students from the Faculty of Education and a sample of 100 was selected using the random sampling technique. A questionnaire titled Attitudes of Undergraduate Students towards premarital sex (AOUSTPSQ) was used as the research instrument. The instrument was validated by the researcher’s project supervisor and two other experts in the Department of Educational Evaluation and Counselling Psychology. The instrument was administered by the researcher and was analyzed using descriptive statistics.
The findings showed that undergraduate students have diverse attitudes towards premarital sex, which vary significantly by age. While most attitudes are mixed, there is a tendency towards a more permissive view in at least one aspect. Undergraduate students exhibit a wide range of attitudes towards premarital sex, with significant variation based on their age. Based on the findings, it’s recommended that the university should implement comprehensive and inclusive sexual education programs that cover a wide range of topics, including sexual health, consent, contraception, and respectful relationships. Additionally, developing initiatives that provide additional support and resources to students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. This could include financial aid, counselling services, and tailored educational materials to ensure all students have equal access to information and support.
