ABSTRACT

This study was carried out at G.T.H.S Molyko, Buea to assess the influence of peer pressure as a determinant for adolescence sexual behavior. The main objective of this study is to find out the effect of peer pressure on adolescence sexual behavior in G.T.H.S Molyko Buea specifically, the study was to assess the adolescence knowledge related on peer pressure related to sexual behavior, to identify aspects influencing peer pressure, to determine adolescent knowledge on the consequences of peer pressure to sexual behavior. The target population consisted of Form Five, Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth students of both the commercial and technical sections and the sample size was 80 students.

The simple random sampling technique was used to select the respondents with a population consisting of students from both technical and commercial departments. The research design for this study is the survey design. This was to enable the researcher investigate the influence of peer pressure as determinant for adolescence sexual behavior in G.T.H.S Molyko Buea. The data obtained the questionnaires administered were analyzed using charts and tables. The results reveal that the students in G.T.H.S. Molyko had adequate knowledge on peer pressure and sexual behavior. With respect to the knowledge on the aspects of peer pressure that affect adolescence sexual behavior, more than a 70% majority of them had inadequate knowledge on this as a result of this adolescence in the above mentioned classes in G.T.H.S Molyko, Buea, experienced a lot of adverse effects such as pregnancy, engaging in sex for money and fornication, use of offensive sexual language, watching of pornographic movies, premarital sex, prostitution.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

Adolescents feel social pressure to conform to the group of peers with whom they socialize. This peer pressure can influence how children dress, what kind of music they listen to, and what types of behavior they engage in, including risky behaviors such as using drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol, and engaging in sex. The intensity of peer pressure differs from situation to situation, (Koubek & Wickert, 2002).

However, according to Koubek & Wickert (2002), most instances of peer pressure experienced by young children are negative. The most common instances are the pressure to drink alcohol, take drugs or smoke cigarettes to appear cool and to involve in sexual activities. They suggest handling negative peer pressure by using humor, changing the subject, speaking directly to the person or seeking support from adults. Starting in middle school, children begin to spend more time with their friends and less time with their parents. Although some children remain loners and not part of any group, most tend to be part of a small group of friends. In children ages eleven to fourteen, it is most common for members of these cliques to be of the same sex. Children will spend a lot of time with friends in their clique, interacting by going to the movies or the mall, talking on the telephone, or chatting online with instant messaging. They know which kids belong to particular cliques and who the loners are. Within the cliques, talk about the opposite sex is popular as is making arrangements for out of school activities, (Koubek & Wickert, 2002).

Children also generally belong to a crowd, which is a larger group of kids from several cliques. While members of the cliques are close friends, members of the crowd outside a clique are casual acquaintances. Crowds are often large groups with common interests such as athletes (jocks), kids who like school (preppies), kids lacking good looks or social skills but who excel at particular intellectual interests (nerds), and drug users (druggies).

Some kids give in to peer pressure because they want to be liked, to fit in, or because they worry that other kids may make fun of them if they do not go along with the group. Others may go along because they are curious to try something new that others are doing. The idea that “everyone is doing it” may influence some kids to ignore their better judgment or their common sense. Peer pressure can be extremely strong and seductive. Experiments have shown how peer pressure can influence children to change their minds from what they know for sure is acceptable behavior to unacceptable behavior just because everyone else in their peer group is doing it. These studies have also shown that all it takes for individuals to stand their ground on what they know is right is for one other peer to join them. That principle holds true for youth of any age in peer pressure situations (Auer, Jim, Alley, 2003).

Risky sexual behavior predisposes young people to a variety of sexuality associated problems including HIV. Strategies to prevent the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections have focused on abstinence, being faithful, condom use and delayed sexual activity.

In Cameroon like in other parts of the world, the negative influence of peers on the sexual behavior of students or adolescents is extremely high. Some adolescents see it as a social activity that must be done at a certain level in life, others see it as a fast means to raise income when they are in need and since they do not want to be the only bad girls or boys around, they lure their friends into it as well. Peer pressure also occurs when a child’s or teen’s friends or other people of their age try to convince them to do something that is either harmful to their body or is against the law. Examples include drinking alcohol, taking drugs, smoking cigarettes, cutting classes, vandalizing, stealing and involving in sexual activities. Although teens usually know when something is bad for them, they often choose to do it because they want to be liked, to fit in, to be accepted, or because they’re afraid they’ll be looked down upon or made fun of. A good number of G.T.H.S students spend most of their precious times in night clubs, bars   and hotels fulfilling their bodily desire instead to studying. That is why more youths are infected with HIV/AIDs and other sexually transmitted diseases as well as unwanted pregnancies that sometimes leads to abortion and sometimes loss of lives, (Koubek & Wicket,  2002).

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Activities such as drinking alcohol, taking drugs, smoking cigarettes, cutting classes, and vandalizing, stealing and involving sexual activities are on the rise in schools and universities most especially. Though some students usually know when something is bad for them, but they often choose to do it because they want to be liked and accepted in their social groups, or because they are afraid that they would be looked down upon or made fun of. More so a good number of adolescence are faced with pressure to use alcohol, cigarettes or drugs, pressure to engage in risk taking behaviors, distraction from school work, Pregnancy for girls resulting to school dropout in most cases. All of these put together are of interest to the investigator to research on the effect of peer pressure on young people’s sexual behavior in G.T.H.S Molyko Buea.

 1.3 Rationale

The research is carried out to find out the knowledge adolescence in G.T.H.S Molyko Buea  have on the effects of peer pressure on their sexual behavior which will eventually serve as a base for further researches , teachings and training that will help adolescence understand the influence their peers have on their sexual behavior.

1.4 Research Question (General)

1.4.1 General Research Question

How is peer pressure a determinant of young people’s sexual behavior in the Government technical high school (G.T.H.S) molyko?

1.4.2 Specific Research Questions

The specific research questions of this study are as follows:

• Do adolescents have knowledge on peer pressure and sexual behavior?
• Do adolescents have knowledge about the aspects/elements of peer pressure that influence sexual behavior?
• Do adolescents know the consequences of peer pressure to their sexual behavior?

1.5 Objectives   

1.5.1 General Objectives

This study is to find out the effect of peer pressure as a determinant of adolescents sexual behavior in G.T.H.S Molyko.

1.5.2 Specific Objectives

The specific objectives are as follows:

• To asses adolescents knowledge on peer pressure related to sexual behavior
• To identify aspects that influence of peer pressure
• To determine the knowledge of adolescence on the consequences of peer pressure to sexual behavior .