Abstract

The study was meant to assess the effects of sexual liberty on educational development in Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State. The study was carried out with the aid of four (4) research questions, which were later subjected to percentage analysis. The research is a survey type of research with all adult and adolescent men and women of Yenagoa Local Government Area as the population. Data used for this study were based on responses from questionnaires designed for the different communities of the selected local Government Area. After administering and collecting data from the respondents, the results of the study showed that: such aspects of life as the traditional marriage system, life-span of marriage, teenage pregnancy, single parenthood among others, were significantly impacted upon. Based on these findings recommendations have been made to parents, traditional rulers, religious organizations as well as social/development unions to properly guide their members.

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Development is said to be both a process as well as a product. The evolution of man as a rational being has exposed him to the need for development. But as a product, the achievement of total development has been an elusive target since creation. This is evidenced by the ceaseless struggle of man at all times with a view at reaching the target. In modern complex societies, roles are given a due recognition with the knowledge that every role is important. Throughout the ages, human beings have sought for personal development as well as that of their communities. Consequently, man has continues to pick-up roles according to one’s interests, skills, knowledge, sex or age. Thus, man is seen as an indispensable agent of development, yet, education still remains the yardstick of development, indeed.

Though education nurtures the man who picks up his roles, the life-style of a people call for the general tone of development example, a given life-style may enable a man to solve both his personal and educational developmental problems or may create his personal and communal problems. Real development is known to deal with only those qualitative functions of a human being. It is a complex process of integrating many structures and functions of an individual or a developmental, patterned and structured by man and his environment. Therefore, common sense demands that one should pick up a role that is socially acceptable, economically worth while and culturally uplifting so as to ensure a general development of one’s education, a venture which would bring absolute stability and orderliness to one’s educational development owing to its deep roots in the mutual recognition of world view and aspirations. Several studies have been undertaken and books written on how to develop human resources as well as educational development, yet the expected positive impact on the public has been minimal. Here in Nigeria, government have never show much interest both during military and now we are under democracy, have not failed to show their desire for total development of man and his environment. The oil companies as well as the non-governmental organizations have not folded their hands in this direction but the story is different. In Yenagoa Local Government Area, the impacts of sexual liberty on the educational development are well structured.

It has made the citizenry to relating well with various peoples throughout the generations. Also, they have long established a unique cultural system based on their experiences with the physical environment like any other group of people, it has been engaged both of late aspects of their cherished value systems are known to have been eroded. Consequently, there is a downward trend in their standards of living so much that it calls for concern. This makes it necessary for the study on “Impact of Sexual Liberty on Education Development in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State”. Yenagoa Local Government Area is one of the groups of people that make up Bayelsa State. It is the capital of Bayelsa State. Some of her important clans are Expetiama, Gbarain, Epie, Afissa, Okordia, Biseni and Zarama. Many years ago, to have more than one wife elevated a man socially, and to father many children brought about one’s economic well being in Yenagoa. Thus, a propensity to father as many children as possible was put in place. Such propensity gave weight to quantity rather than quality of human being as a hall mark of the worth of a War-Canoe House in Yenagoa. Under such condition therefore, it became logical to relax the hitherto strict rules of pre and extra marital sex behaviour of the indigenes of the communities. Undoubtedly, that marked the beginning of the abuse of the sexual liberty which was enjoyed by the adult members of the society. 1.2 Statement of the Problem Sexual relation is a normal human activity and, is universally practiced. In Yenagoa Local Government Area, the act is as old as the people. From the origin, sexual behaviors among the people were exhibited within the limitations of the natural laws and cultural strings of the land. The result was that: i. There was a Yenagoa’s Traditional Marriage System. ii. Almost all matrimonial homes passed the accepted marriage system. iii. Adultery was frowned at. iv. Parental obligations were honoured. v. Boy-father was almost non-existent.

School-girls-mothers were non-existent. vii. Co-operation among member of the same community was strong. Thus, the observance of the land ensured laws and the traditions of the land ensured a full expression of the adults sexual adventure in a proper up bringing and psychologically satisfying way, as it recognition also contributed to a general happiness of the members of the community.