SEXUAL EXCHANGES AND SEXUAL COERCION AMONG FEMALE ADOLESCENT IN AKURE, ONDO STATE

Abstract

There has been considerable research in recent times on the role of cognitive variables that can lead to sexual coercion among female adolescents. One major dominant variable responsible for sexual coercion is sexual exchange. Cases of sexual coercion that have been reported have been due to exchange of a particular material among the male and the female. For many young women, the most common place where sexual coercion and harassment are experienced is in school, where both the schoolteachers and the male counterpart sexually harass the female students. Other factors found responsible for sexual exchanges and coercion among female adolescents is poverty. The study investigates the relationship between sexual exchanges and sexual coercion among female adolescent. Three levels of analysis were employed in the cause of the study, which are frequency count, chi-square and binary logistic regression. The data for the study was also obtained from primary data with the use of questionnaire. A sample of 300 female adolescents was selected for this study out of which 285female adolescent 12-19 years who have experienced sexual exchanges and sexual coercion were analyzed. Findings show that household type, sex in exchange with gift and level of education of respondents are significant factors in predicting sexual coercion. (P<0.05). Adolescent who have ever had sex in exchange for gift are more likely to experience sexual coercion (OR=22.3, P<0.05). Also, adolescent whose father are civil servant are more likely to experience sexual coercion than those whose father were farmer (OR=1.99, P>0.05). This study therefore suggests that programs should be design give the girl-child more quality education, vocational training and educate them on the use of contraceptives.