ABSTRACT
This study was carried out to study the Perceived Causes and Consequences of Premarital Sex among Undergraduate in University of Benin. Therefore to achieve the objectives of the study three (3) research questions were raised to guide the study.
The descriptive survey research design was used for the study. The total sample size for the study was 100 respondents, selected through simple random sampling technique. The instrument for the study was a questionnaire of 20 items that was used to elicit information from respondents. The questionnaire consisted of three sections A,B and C. Section A seeks for demographic variables such as gender and age. Section B consisted of 10 items on perceived causes of premarital Sex while section C consisted of 10 items on perceived consequences of premarital sex with a likert scale format of strongly agree (04) Agree (03) Disagree (02) and Strongly Disagree (01). To determine the reliability of the instrument, the test-re-test method was used. Consequently, the constructed instrument was administered to a group of twenty (20) students who will take part of the study within an interval of two weeks the same questionnaire will be re-administered. The data collected were subjected to Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation coefficient and yielded a coefficient of 0.73 which shows that the instrument was reliable. The collected data for the study were analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequency counts and percentages to answer the research questions raised.
The study concludes that premarital sex among undergraduate students is influenced by a combination of peer pressure, media influence, poor parental guidance, and financial dependence on romantic partners. The lack of comprehensive sex education further contributes to uninformed decision-making. The consequences of premarital sex are both immediate and long-term, affecting students' physical health, academic performance, emotional well-being, and social reputation. The findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions to reduce risky sexual behavior and mitigate its consequences. Addressing these issues through comprehensive education, parental involvement, and cultural reform is essential in creating a more informed and responsible student population. Based on the findings, the following recommendations are made: Universities should incorporate well-structured sex education into their curriculum to equip students with knowledge about the risks and consequences of premarital sex. Parents should be encouraged to actively guide and communicate with their children about sexual health and responsible behavior, fostering an environment where open discussions on sexuality are normalized. Government agencies and non-governmental organizations should implement awareness campaigns targeting peer pressure, financial dependence, and media influence on sexual behavior. Schools should collaborate with stakeholders to provide accessible counseling and support services for students experiencing emotional distress or facing consequences related to premarital sex.
