Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, has recorded consistent exponential growth in its population over the years. Although this development can be of immense benefit to the country as it would provide adequate human capital for productive economic activities, it could also present serious problems. A rapidly growing population could lead to citizens competing for resources, thereby causing inflation and hardship, especially when those resources are limited or scarce. Therefore, it is important for the government and citizens to find a way to control population growth to ensure economic development.
Several factors such as low child mortality, high fertility rate, and non-use of effective family planning methods by Nigerians have been identified as some of the causes of the country's growing population. However, one common practice by Nigerians, premarital sex, has also been a catalyst that has contributed to this growth.
Premarital sex is a practice that is approved by many Nigerians, and its prevalence in the country is an indication of how sexually active the populace is. Nigerians who engage in premarital sex do not consider it as one that adversely affects society. However, the consequences of this practice have proven otherwise. Premarital sex has caused a lot of problems in the Nigerian society, especially among youths. It has served as an impetus for the prevalence of several marital, health, and social problems in the society.
Nigerians eligible for marriage prefer to be promiscuous
One of the consequences of premarital sex is short-lived marriages. Many Nigerians eligible for marriage prefer to have romantic relationships solely for the satisfaction of their sexual desires, finding the rewards of these relationships more appealing than making a lifelong commitment to a spouse. However, when this group of people eventually settles down to get married, their marriages often fail due to inadequate preparation and their promiscuous lifestyle.
Doctor administering treatment to an patient that has contracted a sexually transmitted disease
Another consequence of premarital sex is the threat it poses to the health of those who engage in it and the society at large. It is a major cause of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as gonorrhea, hepatitis, and herpes in the country. The virulent nature of these diseases, combined with the attitude of those infected by them, makes it difficult for the medical community to control their spread. The youth population in Nigeria is particularly affected by these diseases due to their higher level of sexual activity and lack of precautions during premarital sex. Some of those infected with these STDs have either lost vital body functions or become casualties of the ravaging effects of these diseases.
Premarital sex is one of the factors that has led to young and inexperienced parenthood
Furthermore, many Nigerian parents are forced into parenthood due to premarital sex, especially among adolescents influenced by peer pressure and inexperience. The inexperience and inadequate preparation of these new parents for the task of parenthood end up costing society greatly. In most cases, the children nurtured by these parents turn out to be irresponsible and engage in vices that threaten societal stability. Premarital sex is also a major cause of abortion in the country.
While the act of premarital sex is performed at the discretion of individuals, in my opinion, it is not a good practice as it causes more harm than good. Premarital sex has been the stimulant for short-lived marriages, sexually transmitted diseases, and unplanned parenthood in Nigeria. Having analyzed the negative effects of these outcomes on society, I implore Nigerians to abstain from premarital sex. However, if they must engage in it, medical precautions should be employed. The practice of premarital sex is not as gratifying as it appears to be.
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