A STUDY OF THE CAUSES OF TEENAGE PREGNANCY AMONG FEMALE STUDENTS AND ITS EFFECTS ON THEIR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

ABSTRACT

This research work is carried out to find out the causes of teenage pregnancy among female student in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area in Edo State. It deals with the purpose of the study, which is to find out the problems teens are facing concerning unwanted pregnancy and unwed parenthood. To suggest ways of helping any youth facing the dilemma of unwed parenthood as well as practical suggestions for adolescents in avoiding the pitfall of being pregnant. Related literature was reviewed and questionnaires were administered. It was observed that most students drop out from secondary school as a result of teenage pregnancy the summary recommendation and conclusion researcher was able to find out that adolescent from neglected families or broken home lead to teenage pregnancy. It was also detected that lack of exposition, lack of family guidance and bad company contribute a lot to teenage pregnancy. Based on the above findings, it was recommended that since the parents has a greater role to play in the life of adolescent therefore parents should maintain stable and positive relationship with their children. And also parents encourage deep religious spiritual affiliation and realistic academic expectation.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY 

The number of teenagers giving birth each year is staggering. In fact of the slight more than 10% of young mothers are teenagers. Nigerian birth rate for adolescent is one of the highest in the world and the prevalence among female adolescent in Nigeria of sexually transmitted infection including HIV is climbing rapidly. In an effect to reduce her high pregnancy rate by teenagers including other problems, Nigerians developed a national reproduction health policy in the year 2000 that focuses on preventing risk sexual behaviour during adolescent (national Population Commission) Nigeria demographic and health survey 2004, Abuja Nigeria Commission 2006.

While sexual knowledge is higher among young people put of school sexual experience while in school pay prompt students to acquire sexual knowledge and to move out of school. In Nigeria, pregnancy and motherhood mark the end of school attendance and by 16 years,  21% female adolescent are either pregnant or have given birth. Teenagers face daily pressure from peers, they are expose to influence of TV movies, the music industry and internet etc unfortunately young ones are too inexperienced to handle the consequences of pregnancy.

1.2       STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEMS

This research work is to look into the causes of teenage pregnancy among female students and its effect. Millions of children return from school to an empty house because both parents are of the working class, which makes many teenagers less parents. Dysfunction families have set the stage for pregnancy. Many parents feel that their young ones will be taught sex education in school while the schools have failed to meet that demand. So good foundation of sex education both in school and at home, there is also the powerful influence of the media because teenager usually spend more likely to practice these behaviours in real life and have multiple sexual partners. In our computer age, children do not need to have computer in their homes before using one, the use of computer have increased in many country including Nigeria and sexual materials of all kinds are easily accessible through the internet. Unsupervised internet use may expose teenagers to pornographic and sex chart room, some teenagers are willing to accept sex if they are paid and some adult encourage teenage sex by deliberately taking advantages of their being poor.

Most parents fail to understand their children and do not have a close relationship with their children as a result, find it difficult to confide matters to their parents.

1.3       PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

School age girls who are become pregnant come from all socio-economic classes, all race, and all part of the country. The main aim of this project therefore is designed to help many youth face dilemma of unwed parenthood as well as practical suggestions for adolescents in avoiding the pitfalls of being pregnant and becoming parents suddenly.

1.4       RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1.           Is there any significant difference between negligence of children by parents and teenage pregnancy?

2.           Is there any significant difference between knowledge of sex education either in school or at home and teenage pregnancy?

3.           Is there any significant difference between exposure to media and computer and teenage pregnancy?

4.           Is there any significance difference between parental background and teenage pregnancy?

5.           Is there any significance difference between peer group influence and teenage pregnancy? 

1.5       SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The necessity to have teenagers make the right decisions pick appropriate findings, view others with value or importance and become better mothers and fathers. Now that there is much controversy and confusion as regard sex and morals, have made ours project a good relevant to our moral society.

This is the nation making (practical suggestions) available to all at the appropriate time become next in priority.