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ATTITUDE OF PARENTS TOWARDS THE STUDY OF SEX EDUCATION IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

ABSTRACT 

Early sex education among our youths is very vital. This study was conducted to examine the attitude of parents towards the study of sex education in secondary schools in an enlightened community like the University of Benin, Benin City. Data was obtained through the use of questionnaire. A total of 200 questionnaires were distributed to parents in five (5) different faculties. This study utilizes the survey design employing simple random sampling technique in gathering data on the study. Statistical Product and Service Solution, SPSS 16.0 was used for the data analysis. Results were written using simple percentages and frequency tables. The respondents included 95 males and 105 females. The responses from the questionnaire shows that 92% of our parents in these faculties have a positive attitude towards the study of sex education in secondary schools, 58.5% of the respondents cultural beliefs influence their attitudes towards the study of sex education in schools and the teachers qualification in health education also has an influence on their attitude towards the study of sex education in secondary schools. This research shows that parents want their children to be informed about sex and their sexual health by educators who have the skill and qualification to do so; however they want to be informed about the programs to be delivered in their child’s school.   

CHAPTER ONE 

INTRODUCTION 

Background to the Study 

There comes a time in a child’s life when he/she runs excitedly to the mother, exclaiming about the changes taking place in his body. These changes includes, the breast enlargement, appearance of pubic and armpit hairs, but to his surprise, the mother shuts him down. This can send a wrong signal to the child. This response goes a long way in shaping the child’s sexual life. The child who is in need of answers to the questions his body keeps asking cannot share his thoughts as he avoids been rejected or laughed at by his peer groups. The child then grows up with a burden on him. He gets to the school and even when such topics are mentioned, he does not want to be a part of it. For children to grow into healthy adults, they need information about their sexual health. The process or ways in which the knowledge is been transmitted to the child matters a lot. The human sexuality has biological, emotional/physical and spiritual aspects. The biological aspect of his sexuality refers to the reproductive mechanism as well as the basic biological drive (libido). The emotional/physical aspect of sexuality refers to the bond that exists between individuals. This is expressed thoroughly through profound feelings or physical manifestations’ of love, trust and care. The spiritual aspect of sexuality has to do with the individual’s connection to others. Experience has also shown that adolescents are curious about some or all aspects of their sexuality. (www.sexeducation.com). Years of research shows that children and youths who are knowledgeable about their sexual health are more resistant to sexual abuse, older when they engage in sexual activities and more likely to protect themselves from pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. (Vancouver Island Health Authority-Health Choices Program). 

Some International Organization such as the Planned Parenthood Federation consider that broad sex education programs have global benefits such as controlling the risk of over population and the advancement of women’s reproductive rights. Sex education enables the youth to know more about the biological development of their bodies. Common Avenue for sex education includes parents, formal school programs and public health campaigns. When sex education is taught in schools, students are able to understand the physiological, social and emotional changes they experience. As they mature, they develop healthy and rewarding relationships. They make wise, informed and responsible decisions on sexuality matters. However, parents who are the primary care givers have a role to play in the incorporation of sex education in schools. They are responsible for the health and moral values of their children. As parents, it is expected to teach, guide and nurture your child through childhood and adolescence towards adulthood and also providing them with skills and knowledge to make safe life choices on matters concerning their overall wellbeing. They need to know about sex and reproduction not just that which was taught at schools but from you also. It also becomes obvious that there is no right or wrong age at which to teach the child about sex. Questions need to be answered honestly-on an “I need to know” basis. In other words, the knowledge given to the child at home aids his understanding of the concept been taught at school.

Open communication channels are vital to ensure that your child has knowledge of the human reproduction. Burt (2009) defined sex education as “the study of the characteristics of being; a male or a female.” Sex education includes all the educational measures which in any way may have their center on sex. He further said that sex education stands for protection, preservation, extension, improvement and development of the family based on accepted ethical ideas. Kearney sees sex education as “involving a comprehensive course of action by the school, calculated to bring about the socially desirable attitudes, practices and personal conduct on the part of children and adults that will best protect the individual as a human and the family as a social institution.” This means that sex education may also be described as ‘sexuality education’. It encompasses education about all aspects of sexuality, including information about family planning, information about reproduction, all aspects of one’s sexuality and how to avoid them. Various aspects of sex education are to be appropriately taught in schools depending on the age of the child and what they are able to comprehend at a particular time. It can be taught as a full course which is part of the curriculum in junior secondary or senior secondary schools; other times a unit is just been taught either during biology class or health class. It should be noted that parents and guardians are a primary and important source of sexual health education for young people (King et al 1988). 

Statement of Problem 

Youths, as they develop into adulthood are faced with so many sexual challenges. While seeking to know and understand their sexual wellbeing, some become victims of sexual abuse. This has led to an increase in the rate of school dropout, unwanted pregnancies, forced marriages and sexually transmitted diseases among youths. Apparently, some parents are ignorant of the role they play in providing their children with the necessary information about/on their sexual life. This information would enable the child grow into adulthood and also helps to prevent the child from making wrong decisions in life. This study was therefore designed to examine the attitudes of parents towards the study of sex education in an enlightened community like the University of Benin, Ugbowo Campus, Benin City. 

Purpose of Study 

This study attempts to explain the need for sex education in schools. It tries to assess parents’ attitude towards the study of sex education in schools. It also shows the importance of sex education to the society at large and points out the social and educational implications of poor sexuality education for the school child. It also enlightens parents’ on the role they play in the inclusion of sex education in the curriculum of secondary schools. It also enables the curriculum planners take into consideration the multicultural nature of the society when drawing up a sex education program.   

Research Questions 

1.                    What are the attitudes of parents towards the study of sex education in secondary schools?

2.                    Does cultural belief influence the attitude of parents towards the study of sex education in secondary schools? 

3.                    Would the teachers’ qualification in a health course influence parents’ attitude towards the study of sex education? 

Significance of the Study This study enlightens parents in their role towards their children’s sexual development. It enables parents understand the need for their child to acquire the knowledge; skill and habit that would allow them develop into healthy adults. It enables the child build and engages in a healthy relationship with the opposite sex. This would enable the child to acquire a basic understanding on virtually every aspect of life by the time he reaches full maturity.  

Delimitation of the study 

The researcher delimited the study to parents in the University of Benin. The parents involved in this study comprise of both Academic and Non Academic staff. This study was delimited in order to ensure/achieve validity and reliability. 

Limitations of the Study During the course of this study, certain obstacles were faced; as a result of this, the researcher limits her study to parents who are workers in the University of Benin. These parents were taken from five faculties namely; 

1.                    Faculty of Education 

2.                    School of Medicine 

3.                    Faculty of law

4.                    Faculty of Management Sciences 

5.                    Faculty of Physical Sciences. This study is also limited to finding out parents’ attitude towards the study of sex education in secondary schools. It does not seek to know the teachers and students opinion. 

Definition of Terms Attitude:

The way you think and feel about somebody or something. (Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary, 7th edition). 

Sex: Refers to gender or tries to classify a ‘being’ into male or female. It also refers to the physical activity between two people in which they touch each other’s sexual organs and which may include sexual intercourse. (Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary, 7th edition). 

Cultural belief: The way of life of a group of people and the things they engage in. 

Education: Total process of human learning by which knowledge is imparted, faculties are trained and skills developed. (Urevbu, 1991). 

Sex education: is the education that teaches the young person what he/she should know for his/her personal conduct and relationship with others. (Shyler, 1976). 

Sexually transmitted diseases: Infections that can be transmitted from someone to another individual during or through sexual intercourse.