CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

       According to Fakunle (1986) fundamental of sex education, journal of education psychology vol. 1 page 45-52 see the role of teaching sex education as a phenomenon is so complicated that people have different view about it. These differences bring tolerance in sexuality among some, while it creates problems in some in some other ethnic groups where they bring boys and girls into the same school created problems of physical contact and emotional involvement, which eventually result in arousing sexuality. This anxiety created in them; make them jump into the game of uncontrolled emotion.

       One American school of health association committee (1967) see the role of teaching sex education as consist of institution to develop understanding of the physical, mental, emotional, social, economic, and psychological phases of human relations, how they are affected by male and female relationship. It also emphasizes attitudes development and guidance related association between the sexes. It implied that that man’s sexuality is integrated into the total life development as health entry and ones creative energy, Styler (1945) also see sex education which teaches the young people of what he/she should know for his/her personal conduct and relationship with others, he said that sex education should no longer be taught of how to be in the usual and the narrower sense as simply the anatomy and psychology genitalia. In this chapter, the researcher intends to have an overview of terminologies associated with sex before dealing with the study. Sex education is the instruction about sex and humans sexuality which children are supposed to receive sex at all. Correct relevant information should be given to teenagers about the changes and development they observed in their bodies during the period of maturity. The girls develop breast and pelvic bones broadens. This start at the age of twelve years (12) while the boys sexual organs mature, their chest widens and their larynx enlarges. This period in teenagers is very crucial in life of an individual and many frustrations may occur during this stage such as school dropout, sexual immorality, and juvenile delinquency to mention but a few.

       Those days, sex education matters were hidden from children, they are expected to be given information about sex education so as to break through the desire in them so that they will not go astray. Sex desire can lead to sexual immorality, which can result to unwanted pregnancy, feelings and emotional desires. This can also cause abortion, sexually transmitted diseases like HIV/AIDS and so on. Therefore sex education should be given to children at any developmental stage because the foundation in the early life of the children will determine the stability and quality of their marital life. Sex education should be given to the teenagers through their parents, teachers, counsellors, and educator for teenagers of both sexes. With this introduction alone, a lot of changes will occur in life of the students, parents and the community at large.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

       This study intends to emphasize the role of teaching sex education into secondary schools and also to investigate if this sex education has positive or negative effect on students. Case of sex experiment, free married distortion about sex from parents, elders, brothers and sisters are becoming so rampant among our female students in the post primary schools. A case study of Oredo Local Government Area. This study is trying to find out all about the following.

• Who should teach sex education?
• What are the role and effects to be derived from teaching sex education to teenagers?
• What are the methods of approach to the topic?
• What behavioural modification will the youth show after the instruction given to them?
• Do students, teachers and parents realize the role of teaching the topic to younger ones?

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

       The research questions that are required for the purpose of the study include the following.

1. Does sex education lead to unwanted pregnancies.
2. Does sex education enable students’ knowledge of the implication of pre-marital sex?
3. Does the authority of Oredo Local Government Area encourage sex education?
4. Does sex education encourage abortion among female students?

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

       It is observed that sex education is not adequately taught in schools especially in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State. There is actually the need of sex education at this level of learning stage, because there we have bulk of students both male and female that have gotten to the age of puberty. It is at this stage that terrible things happen particularly unwanted pregnancies which cause students especially females to dropout of schools.

SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

       Most students in the secondary schools are within the age period adolescents. This period is so complicated that those who fall within it need special guidance by parents, teachers, brothers and sisters to a bright future in terms of what to meet and experience later in life. He/she needs to know him/herself, know his/her life partner and other vital issues associated with sex education. This study further provides concrete answer to the very problem of teaching sex education so as to generate better understanding of how to put forward certain suggestions to the authorities such as ministry of education, the parents, teachers, the schools and general population to develop keen interest.

SCOPE/DELIMITATION

       A study like this embraces all areas of secondary schools and a sample of teachers in junior secondary schools and parents. this study was faced by a number of problems which restricted the researcher from carrying out the study throughout such as home factor, transportation to and fro to each supervisor and combination of domestic works.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

       The following terms we defined as used in this study to enhance easy understanding and clarification. Sexually transmitted disease (S.T.Ds): disease contacted through sexual intercourse e.g. HIV/AIDS.

Sex: refers to difference between male and females.

Teenagers: stage of development between 11-17 years.

Pelvic: hip bones.

Sex organs: structure responsible for reproduction e.g. penis in male and female vagina in them.

Reproduction: is the process of giving birth to a living thing/being.

Education: is the systematic training and instruction especially our young ones in schools.