YOUTHFUL EXUBERANCE AND ADOLESCENT SEXUALITY: AGENTS FOR TEENAGE PREGNANCY IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The Beijing conference in 1995 advanced the idea of women’s fundamental rights to reproductive and sexual self-determination. This is because sexuality and sexual health are seen to play a central role in people’s wellbeing. This study therefore, undertakes to ascertain the implications of youthful exuberance and the libido levels or interaction of adolescents in relation to teenage pregnancy in the contemporary Nigerian society. Relevant literature has been exhaustively reviewed with the aim of unearthing the contributions and roles played by social agents like the family, schools, worship systems, community-based organizations, non-governmental organizations, self-help organizations, et cetera. While basically, analyzing the socio-political, socio-economic and socio-cultural consequences or implications on the family in particular and the Nigerian polity in general, the study found that the family as the nucleus of the society is central to National Development which encompasses all sectors of human endeavours. Recommendations on a stable and formidable family setting that grooms and fosters cultured and decent virtues in the upcoming young fellows as well as providing a framework for the actualization of these virtues via adequate legislations have been made.