PERCEPTION ON PREMARITAL SEX AMONG AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES

A Research study Presented to The Faculty of the College of Health sciences University of Northern Philippines Vigan City

In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Bachelor Of Science In Nursing

By Marie Cecille Liberty Soliven Jeremiash Dela Cruz Mary Joy Romano Jenny-Fer Dalingas Sarah Fe Galinato

2014

Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM INTRODUCTION Sexuality is for love and life, and sex is the union not only of bodies but also of person.Sexuality is for true love not for mere physical or sexual person.It orients us toward interpersonal dialogue and contributes to our integral maturation by opening up the gift of self in love.Premarital or extramarital sex is an expression of selfishness, never of true love and it just destroys trust in the family.(Calingo,walk with Jesus Christ 1st ed.2008) Sexual act is a God-given way for us to do his will in which we should have to multiply in his gift of life.It is stated that when a woman and man are married they become one flesh and body,thus,this mean that sexual act is for married only.Because sex is not just a matter of recreation,but it is a matter of respect for the gift that God has given us, hence it should only be done for what it was purposely intended for. The bible refers premarital sex as a fornication.Fornication is sexual intercourse between people who are not married to each other.Premarital sex is just as much of a sin as adultery and other form of sexual immoralities where they are all involved in having sex with someone whom they are not married to.(http.//www.allaboutworldview.org) Teenage sexual activity is one major problem confronting the nation now a day and has led to a rising incidences of sexually transmitted infections, emotional and psychological injuries, and out-of-wedlock child bearing, thus, teenage pregnancies and premarital sex alarm every sector in our society particularly the church and health institutions (ezinearticles.com). Some adolescents may believe that intense sexual yearnings or peer pressure can be alleviate only by sexual act. Because of increasing exposure to and acceptance of premarital sexual relationship in society, more adolescents than ever before engage in high risk sexual behaviors exposing them to sexually transmitted infection or conception. (Pilliteri, Maternal and Child Health Nursing 6th Edition 2007). Some adolescents may trap in engaging sex even though they are unwilling because they perceive it as a way of having friends. For adolescents who have

intercourse, the primary reasons given are sexual curiosity and affection for their partner. For adolescents who agree to have intercourse but do not really want to, the primary reason given are peer pressure curiosity and the like. (Nusbaum and Katsufraks 2008) Girls have sex to be loved, while boys love to have sex. This romantic clich is the obviously sleazy yet devastatingly lines ever spoken. Men telling woman that having sex is just their way of expressing their love, is about as threadbare saw a spider inviting a butterfly into her parlor, while women believed that having sex is their way of proving their love to a man. They gave all in the name of love to establish the truth of reality of their love. However the question is: what if they are not meant to be? Later on the women realize that the damage has been done. The guilt sets in emotion like this has a great effect in their whole life. (www.google.com ) A Young Adult Fertility Survey (YAFS) disclosed that males are more into premarital sex than females but over the years, young women are catching up with men. The survey covered 20,000 Filipino youths aged 15-24 years old across the country. According to the 2002 Young Adult Fertility And Sexuality Study by the University of the Philippines Population Institute (UPPI) and the Demographic and Development Foundation, 26 percent of our Filipino youth nationwide, from ages 15-25 years old, admitted to having a premarital sex experience. Whats worse is that 38 percent of our youth are in a live-in arrangement. (ezinearticles.com) The knowledge of premarital sex among youth has been observed to be weak as shown by the increasing rate of unwanted pregnancies, case of abortions, use of contraceptives and spreads of sexually transmitted infections. Teens have the right to know more than the bare facts of menstruation menopause, pregnancies etc. With the right information, the youth will be more cautious with their sexual activities. (http.//Ezinearticles.com/2663293) In 2008, 5 million or 23 % of Filipino adolescents, aged 15-24, have already engaged in premarital sex. In 1994, only 18 percent of youth engaged in PMS. 20 percent of premarital sex occurred among high school students. 35 percent of those who engaged in premarital sex were out of school youth and non working youths.

Young men who had their sexual debut at 13 years old would have anywhere between 10 and 60 sex partners during their adolescence alone. (www.google.com) For these reasons the researchers were interested to find out the level of perception on premarital sex among college students of the University of Northern Philippines. This is to assess how teenagers act towards engagement into sexual acts and to broaden their knowledge and understanding about the matter whether it is good or bad. The result of this study will serve as basis for initiating awareness among adolescents on the cause and effect of premarital sex. As nurses, we will be able to utilize our knowledge, skills, and attitude to the professional relationship, which may facilitate in the process of caring for clients with sexual concerns or problems. This study will also help the University law makers in the formulation of guidelines and disciplinary actions to every student regarding premarital sex.

Statement of the Problem This study aims to determine the perception on premarital sex among college students of the University of Northern Philippines. Specifically, it seeks to answer the following questions:

1. What is the profile of the respondents in terms of the socio-demographic factors: a.age, b.sex, c.religion, d.place of residence, e.monthly income of parents,and f.ordinal position in the family? 2. What is the level of perception on premarital sex among college students of UNP in terms of:

a.psychological effect, b. physical effect,and c.social effects? 3. Is there a significant relationship between socio-demographic factors and the level of perception on premarital sex among college of UNP?

Scope and Delimitation This study will focus on the perception of college students on premarital sex in the University of Northern Philippines. The correspondents will be delimited to the enrolled first year college students from the College of Health Sciences and College of Nursing. The independent variables to be use in this study are the sociodemographic profile which includes the age, sex, religion, place of residence, monthly income of parents, and their ordinal position in the family. The dependent variables of the study will be the perception on premarital sex among students of University of Northern Philippines along (a) psychological effects, (b) physical effects, and (c) social effects.

Review of Related Literature We are currently in an era of transition between a restrictive sexual ethics and a permissive one. In such circumstances, conflicts are bounds to arise.Parents hold fast to conservative standards while their children adopt permissive one.(Cadavona et. Al.,2007)During the Maria Clara times in the Philippines,touching between lovers was taboo.A girl touched by her fiance even just at the top of her fingers before their wedding is considered no longer virgin.This is a Filipino costume called no touch.A kiss to a girl during that time costs a guy an untimely married.(Andres,1987:8)

But of today,many adolescents who have their boyfriends and girlfriends are even very showy of their relationship.We are all aware that even in public places they could kiss each other that eventually lead them into engaging in something that they are not yet ready for. Puberty is the age when adolescents become sexually active and excite the erotic zones and increase the hormone levels in the human body with curiosity about sexual developments. In the past traditional orthodox values in the society, especially in the religious doctrines restricted premarital sex as an act of sin. Modern traditions and values have eroded with a scientific temper to a more liberal thought and way of life, although many communities and families impose restrictions. These eroded values are showcase mass media and literature where sex is a common place discourse in society (wiki.answer.com). Premarital sex is increasing at an alarming rate especially among adolescents. Today, the difference between love and sex seems to disappear, with most young lovers end up exploring each other physique and ultimately unprotected sexual intercourse. Many people especially teenagers today who engage into sexual actions have tremendous regrets. They begin to feel used and simply unclean. The most severe consequence of premarital sex psychological; the guilt that occurs so acute that many teens look to drugs, alcohol, and suicide for relief. According to Dr. John G. Sholl, teens who engage in premarital sex are more likely to suffer negatively from long-term physical, emotional, social, and moral effect than teen who choose to wait. (www.scribd.com) As generations pass there are already lot of pressures around every individual that could lead them into having premarital sex most especially teenagers of today. MEDIA INFLUENCE Many teenagers engage into premarital sex. One big factor that influences the teenagers is the wide spread of pornography. Easy to access to the internet even to minors could view free porn, sex videos, scandals, nude pictures, and any other form of pornography because many website offer these. RAND Health, private American think-tank has recently discovered that teens who watch a lot of television with sexual content are more likely to initiate

intercourse in the following year. Teenagers learn through images and pictures. Sexuality is presented in the media as alluring and romantic. Not only through television but also in many magazines and books portrays sex as seductive.

PEER INFLUENCE According to Castrogiovanni (2002), A peer is a group as a small group of similarly aged, fairly close friends, sharing the same activities. Peer group provide the sense of security and they help the adolescent build up a sense of identity. However, not all peer groups are in the positive side. Sometimes many of these peer group lead an individual in doing something against what he before know as wrong in order to have the feeling of belonging to his/her peer. Peers are important factors that influence the adolescents behavior and their decision making. All teens feel the so-called peer pressure, boys specifically feel the greater pressure engaging to a sex earlier even before they are ready for the consequences of their act. When a person is young, his/her passion can be powerful to the point of distraction, and there is the influence of ones peers. Many of the teenagers have the urge to belong and be accepted to certain group which makes them commit actions that their peers are forcing them to do. One of the common activities of the teenagers brought by peer pressure now a day is the engagement to sexual activities since they find this very amusing and enjoying on their age. Many young people today says that sex is already normal for them and says everybody is already doing it now. Thus many believe that when they are not able to have the experience in sex they are not socially accepted. Through this thought of youngsters of today, many teenagers are getting pregnant unplanned.

PARENTS INFLUENCE Parents are the major socializing agent for children and need to learn how to be effective educators. Many parents need assistance discussing sexual behavior. It is the myth that acknowledgement of sexuality and information about sex will

increase sexual activity. But many parents today are very busy of their own personal issues that they are already neglecting their responsibilities to their children. In this reason many of the youth are not properly guided by their parents engage into premarital sex. There is also a research that said, the lesser the parents talk to their children the more vulnerability their children to engage into premarital sex. This is because they try to attract attention from their parents which led them into doing something they dont even truly understand. (www.google.com)

EEFECTS OF ENGAGING TO PREMARITAL SEX These stated some factors causing teenagers to engage into premarital sex produces various devastating effects on life of the youth. Many people especially teenagers today who engage into sexual actions have tremendous regrets. They begin to feel used and simply unclean. The most severe consequence of premarital sex is psychological; the guilt that occurs is so acute that many teens looks to drugs, alcohol, and suicide for relief. According to Dr. John G. Sholl, teens who engage in premarital sex are more likely to suffer negatively from long-term physical, emotional, social, and moral effect than teen who choose to wait. (www.scribd.com) Premarital sex can lead to emotional distress, distrust, regret and emptiness, according to the Medical Institute for Sexual Health. Sex creates a bond between two people that can easily be violated if the commitment isnt strong enough to sustain it. Marriage creates a lifelong commitment and can support the bond a sexual relationship creates. A study released in 2006 by the Guttmacher Institute, a New York-based nonprofit that studies sexual and reproductive health, showed 95 percent of Americans have had premarital sex. With numbers so high, it is more difficult for couples to be sure their sexual relationship will create a lasting bond. Sexually transmitted Infections are often passed when couples have had multiple sexual partners. Although premarital sex doesnt necessarily mean the couples have had multiple sexual partners, the chances are greater than if a couple vows to abstain until marriage. A 2008 study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control

(CDC) found 25 percent U.S. teenage girls have at least one sexually transmitted disease, a percentage that increases with age. Pregnancy is always a possibility, even when using contraception. According to a Journal of Family Psychology study done in 2008, couples who sexual activities before marriage are at greatest risk of divorce and report a lower level of dedication to the relationship, which increases the risk of a single-parent household if the child is involved.

A married couple could also be more likely to experience problems if one or both partners had been sexually active before marriage. Couples with multiple past sexual partners may found themselves comparing their marital sex life to their premarital sex life, often leading to dissatisfaction. A 2002 study by the CDC also showed couples who engage in premarital sex are much more likely to become divorced within 10 years than those who abstain until marriage.

Conceptual Framework The research will be guided by the paradigm presented below. The paradigm shows the possible relationship exists between the socio-demographic profiles of the respondents and their level of perception on premarital sex.

Independent Variable Socio-demographic profile of respondents in terms of: a. age, b. sex, c. religion, d. family monthly income, and e. ordinal position in the family

Dependent Variable Perception on premarital sex as to: a. psychological effects, b. physical effects, and c. social effect

Figure 1.The paradigm of the study

Operational Definition of Terms

For better understanding of the study, the following terms will be defined: Premarital sex. It refers to the act of having coitus with ones partner outside the premise of marriage. Level of perception on premarital sex. This refers to the level og understanding of the respondents on the psychological, physical, and social effects of premarital sex. Psychological effect. It refers to the perception on premarital sex, which is related to thoughts and feelings. Physical effect. It refers to the effect of premarital sex as related to the respondents physical aspect. Social effects. It refers to the perceptions as related on the effects of premarital sex to society. Socio-demographic factors. This refers to the characteristics of the respondents as to age, sex, religion, family monthly income, and ordinal position in the family. Age. It refers to the respondents age in years. Sex. It refers to the physical and behavioral identity of the respondents either male or female. Religion. It refers to the religious affiliation of the respondents. Family monthly income. It refers to the financial status of the family of the respondents family income.

Ordinal position in the family. It refers to the rank of the respondents in the family weather eldest, youngest, etc..

Hypotheses The researchers hypothesize that there is significant relationship between the socio-demographic profile ant the level of perception of the respondents towards premarital sex. Methodology This section presents the research design that will be used in the study, population and sample, data gathering instrument, data gathering procedure, and statistical treatment of data. Research design. The research design to be used will be the descriptive co-relational method research. Population and sample. The respondents of this study will be the first year college students from the University of Northern Philippines enrolled in the College of Health Sciences and College of Nursing. Data gathering instrument. The questionnaire checklist will be used for gathering data. The research instrument is adopted from the study of Cadavona et. Al., 2007. The questionnaire is divided into two main parts: Part I gathers the data on the socio-demographic profile of the respondents and Part II will elicit information on the level of perception of the respondents towards premarital sex.

Data gathering procedure. The researchers will seek permission from the dean of the two selected college for their permission in floating the questionnaires to their students. Statistical treatment of data. The following statistical tools will be used to analyzed the data which will be gathered: Frequency and percentage will be used to describe a socio-demographic profile of the respondents. Mean will be employed to describe the level of perception of the respondents towards premarital sex. Simple linear co-relational analysis will be employed in determining the possible relationship of the socio-demographic profile and the level of perception of the respondents towards premarital sex.

QUESTIONNAIRE

Please answer what is asked in the questions below. Rest assured that all information will be kept confidential. I. SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE NAME:___________________________________________(optional) AGE:__________ SEX:___________ RELIGION:________________________ PLACE OF RESIDENCE:_______________________________________ ORDINAL POSITION IN THE FAMILY:_______________________ MONTHLY FAMILY INCOME: __________15,000-ABOVE __________10,000-14,999 __________ 5,000-9,999 __________999-BELOW

II.

LEVEL OF PERCEPTION TOWARDS PREMARITAL SEX

Listed are perceptions regarding premarital sex. Please fill or put a check mark on the space provided for according to how you agree or disagree with the following:

RATINGS: 3-strongly agree 2-partially agree 1-disagree

PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECT 1.It causes psychological and emotional distress 2.It is considered bad and dirty 3.It offers superficial intimacy and happiness 4.Having sex becomes part of a close relationship 5.It test the ability of two persons to adjust sexually before marriage

PHYSICAL ASPECT 3 1.It increases predisposition to sexually transmitted diseases 2.It may lead to unwanted pregnancy 3.It results to constant indulging, craving, and sex adventure 4.It may satisfy sexual need of an individual 5.It makes you attach to your partner, thus strengthens feeling and bonding

SOCIAL ASPECT 1.It increases the population 2.It will contribute to the increase of unwed mothers 3.Having premarital sex makes teens more liberal 4.Indulging in premarital sex decreases reputation especially in women 5.Premarital sex increases the feeling of masculinity in men