PERCEPTION ON DATING, COURTSHIP AND MARRIAGE AMONG UNDERGRADUATES IN FEDERAL TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN OGUN STATE

Abstract

The study examined the perception on dating, courtship and marriage amongst undergraduates in Federal Tertiary Institutions in Ogun State. The study adopted a survey design. The sample size consisted of 445 students using random sampling technique. The instrument for data collection was questionnaire constructed by the researchers. Results indicated that 57.8%  were of the opinion that marriage shouldn’t be an obligation as it is in our society, 77.5% agreed that to be adequately prepared for adulthood, dating must be practiced, the study also revealed that 97.1% agreed that courtship prepares individuals for marriage life. The study further indicated that there was a significant relationship between undergraduates perception on courtship and mother’s educational level with a value of (χ² = 13.21. P <0.05). The study concluded that dating helps in the development of adolescents but could pose dangers if not properly practiced, courtship is a structured relationship leading to a long lasting union. It is recommended that practices of sexual adventures a as a result of dating calls for family life education as it would equip young people with knowledge on dating.