PEER PRESSURE AS A CORRELATE OF PROSTITUTION TENDENCY AMONG FEMALE UNDERGRADUATES OF IMO STATE UNIVERSITY, OWERRI: IMPLICATION FOR COUNSELLING
Dr Amaka B. Ikechukwu- Ilomuanya & Dr Kay C. Onyechi
Department of Educational Foundations, Faculty of Education,
University of Nigeria Nsukka
Abstract
Prostitution among female undergraduates of Imo State University is still on increase despite all effort to eradicate it. The study examined peer pressure as a correlate of prostitution tendency among female undergraduates of Imo State University, Owerri. It adopted a correlational research design. A research questions and a null hypothesis guided the study. The population of the study comprised all female undergraduates of Imo State University, Owerri. The sample for the study was 266 female undergraduates. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the subjects. The instrument used for data collection was the researchers’ made questionnaire titled, “Peer Pressure and Prostitution Tendency Questionnaire (PPAPTQ)”. Pearson Product Moment Correlation Co-efficient and Regression Analysis were used for data analysis. The findings of the study include: there exists a moderate relationship between peer pressure and prostitution tendency among female undergraduates. Also, peer pressure significantly relates to female undergraduates’ prostitution. Based on the findings of the study, a conclusion was drawn that peer pressure relates to prostitution among female under graduates and this call for team approach involving all the stakeholders in the war against prostitution on the campuses. The implication of these findings is that professional counsellors should develop and implement well- structured peer pressure resistance and sexuality counseling for students in the Universities. It was recommended that the government should train and employ enough professional counselors in tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Also, the police should routinely enforce anti-prostitution laws in these tertiary institutions.
Keywords: Peer Pressure, Prostitution, Female Undergraduates.