ABSTRACT
This research was set out to thoroughly assess
the perception and impact of campus dating among students of University of Calabar. The major objectives of this study were to: examine
the nature of romantic relationship in University of Calabar; examine
the perception of campus dating in University of Calabar; identify the
social factors that facilitates dating amongst students; examine the positive
and negative impacts of campus dating on students’ academic performance; and
proffer suitable measures on ways to improve students’ academic performance. The study employed descriptive survey design
and data was collected using questionnaire and interview. The findings revealed
that, dating is a form of romantic relationship in which two people are emotionally
and sexually attracted to each other. More so, findings revealed that dating in
University of Calabar is a social exchange between two unmarried persons. The
findings also revealed that, the social factors that facilitate dating among
students are academic pursuit, peer pressure, socio-economic background,
parenting style and the need for high prestige. Finally, findings revealed
that, dating has both negative and positive implications. According to the
findings, the positive impacts include improve in CGPA, ease of academic
stress, improvement in emotional health and strengthening of
self-esteem/confidence. The negative impact of dating includes prevalence of
dating violence, sexual implications and high level of disrespect among
students. It is therefore recommended that students should concentrate on their
studies and avoid every form of relationship. Victims of dating violence should
seek medical help. Parents should monitor their children in the universities.
Stake holders in education should develop a curriculum on relationship
education for institutions of learning to enable students understand the
dangers associated with early relationship. The University authorities should
enforce proper dress codes to reduce sexual attraction. University staff should
help inculcate moral values into the students by organizing seminars, debates,
conferences and other related activities to help them build their academic
potentials and resist deviant activities.
CHAPTER
ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Background to the Study
Education
is an essential part of human life which contributes greatly to the development
of an individual (Luqman,
2012). Through education, an individual becomes fully
developed in all aspect of life (Luqman,
2012). Academic success is a proof of commitment to an
individual’s pursuit. Academic performance is a scholarly effort rendered in
order to achieve academic success (Ames,
1992, Puklek, and Peklaj, 2006). Commitment towards academic
pursuit influences greatly, a student’s academic performance. A student’s
academic performance could be distorted by such factors as peer-group
influence, recreational activities and dating (Lisa, 2007). Dating could be of benefits and
also result into negative consequences to students’ performance.
According
to N’jole (1993) dating fulfils a number of specific functions that can enhance
people’s socio-psychological development and ultimately promote a society’s
continuity. Dating functions can be either manifest, the purpose are visible,
recognized and intended or latent, the purpose are unintended or not
immediately recognized. Dating is the organized means by which most people
moved from being single to begin single coupled (Spielmann, Maxwell, MacDonald,
and Baratta, 2013). Dating is a somewhat ambiguous phenomena used in different
vocabulary. Terms like “dating”, “going out”, “going-around”, “hanging-out”,
“going-steady”, and “being-involved” often lack clear definition and agreement.
According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, (2009), dating is a social engagement
between two persons that often has a romantic character. Sociologists describe
the dating process as a marriage market, in which prospective spouses compare
the assets and liabilities of eligible partners and choose the best available
mate. In this sense, who a person trades with depends on what resources he or
she brings to the exchange (Gavin 2012).
Dating
has been in existence among countries of the world. Dating is not a new
phenomenon but what it is referred to is relative (Alev Degim and Tao Fu 2015).
Naturally, every individual would want to love and be loved. To most people,
dating is based on an assumption that dating provides important experiences and
valuable lessons that will eventually help selects mates and construct happy
marriages. Dating does not really serve as a training ground for marriage, the
behaviours that tend to characterize dating are not the sorts of activities
that necessarily prepare one for the everyday demand of married life (John 2012). The nature
of dating in the 1700 is different from the nature of dating in the 21st
century; dating in the 1700, males and females follows dearly defined
expectations in meeting and in time spent together (Eli, Chin Ming, Kathleen
and Grace (2013).
Parents were very strict to their children especially their daughters. Some
societies like Ghana, Togo castrated their daughters as a way of avoiding
pre-marital sex and births (Emmanuel 1998; Hanny Lightfoot-Klein 1989).
Contrary to this period, dating in the 1900 differed. Economic and educational
innovations which enable young people to interact with the opposite sex away
from the watchful eyes of parents. The expansion of commercial recreation,
technological innovation contributed to these changes in dating patterns. One
of the things that most distinguishes modern dating from traditional dating is
the prevalence of sexual activity in dating relationships (Newman 1958; Nievera
2013).
Dating
while schooling could pose a negative or positive effect to student’s academic
performance. Dating might help students involved in easing environmental
stress, improving their social network and can also negatively affect their
academic performance (Abanaka 2007). Factors like frequent dating, time spent
together, recreational activities; prevalence of sex in dating contributes to
failure in achieving academic success (Whyte 1992).
Dating
in Nigeria is not a new phenomenon. Before colonization, individuals dated but
due to civilization the pattern of dating has changed (Oteh, 2010). Dating in
Nigeria institutions is a way of life. It is seen as a means of gaining social
status and promoting popularity. To be more specific to the area of my research
study Federal University, Dutsin-ma. Dating in the above named university is a
culture (normal) many view as having special benefit that enhances students
social network, emotional wellbeing and social status. On the other hand, when
a student is not involved in dating, he or she is tagged with terms as dry, not
happening, not socialise-able and anti-social. This research study intends to
make findings on how dating influences students’ academic performances. Some
students considers it as being good because of its beneficial attributes while
others considers it as bad taking into cognisance its consequences on the life
of spouse especially academically.
In
Federal University Dutsin-ma Katsina state, dating popularly called “campus
marriage” can be seen from two different perspective: one with positive impact
and that of the negative impact. Dating has positive impact if it allows both
spouse enough time to study their books, attend classes and also do their
assignments. University life is very stressful and this stress affects students
a lot. The amount of stress experienced may be influenced by the individual’s
ability to effectively cope with stressful events or situations (Zurilla and
Sheedy, 1991). Dating may ease environmental stress (Berger, 1997). Paul and
White (1990) observe that being in an intimate relationship involves trust,
sensitivity, and responsiveness, being able to make a commitment, striving for
equity and mutuality. For a student, it also means working to achieve academic
balance. However, Zimmer and Ginerbec (2001) find dating to have a positive
effect on the emotional health of adolescents. Dating also help to an extent
provide economic security to some spouse. Spouses encourages each other and
stand by each other in times of difficulty, provide provisions and most
importantly food stuffs for each other. This help ease students need on campus
and help them to have a good learning environment.
In
contrast to the above, dating tends to have negative impact when it is regarded
as something that takes up your time, attention and energy, as such can affect
student’s performance in school. The impact of dating life on academic
performance depends on how well one is able to strike a balance between social
life and studies. In moderation, dating can help some academically while to
other, the reverse is the case. Quatman, Sampson, Robinson, and Watson (2001) study
dating status, academic performance, and motivation in high schools asserted
that students who dated more frequently had a lower academic performance. The
study supported a significant relationship between dating status and academic
achievement, which can cause serious problems among university students
(Prisbell, 1986). While having an intimate relationship may have negative
effect for emotional health, that being overly involved in dating is associated
with a more negative effect on the psycho-social function and health of
students (Baumeister, 1995). For example people who engage in dating have been
reported to have been performing poorly in schools, fails to attend classes,
fails to do their assignments, fails to participate in academic activities and
probably isolate themselves from other students. This is because of their
commitment with their spouse which take most of their time.
In
light of the above, the researcher seeks to investigate and find out the views
of students on the phenomenon of dating and how it improves or affect the
performances of students in University of Calabar.
1.2
Statement
of the Problem
Friendship
is essential in any part of the world, because it is generally believed that no
man is an island. Even attracting the biblical story of the origin of man, when
Adam was created, God saw that it is not right for the man to be alone (Genesis
2:18).
The
demand for a friend or partner especially someone of the opposite sex has grown
tremendously over the years and it is even assuming different dimension and
direction. Today in the world, friendship (especially with the opposite sex)
connotes dating or romance (depending on the level of relationship). It means
love or a romantic affair between two individuals, especially different sex
composition. Dating traditionally and globally has been viewed as a requisite
for marriage or at least a long lasting relationship (Sorensen, 2002).
Dating
is now prevalent among both old and young. Dating or romance in the university
campus is common. However, the problem here is not that whether dating is
viewed as necessary or whether it is a prerequisite for marriage. But the problem
is the effect of the dating on the students’ academic achievement. Different
scholars today have argued that dating on campus causes a clash or conflict of
interest in terms of loss of priority between one’s studies and the need to
meeting the dating demands. That is they are of the view that dating negatively
affects students’ academic performance. Some other effects of dating may
include but not limited to over-stress among spouses, lack of time for
academics activities, as well as health and psycho-social challenges. This view
is shared by scholars such as Pianzhi, 2011; Quatman et al 2001; Crissey, 2006;
Umar, Shaib, Aituisi,
Yakubu and Bada 2010; Wensch, 2005; Rector and Jonson, 2005; Bailey and
Miller 1998; Lugman, 2001.
However,
other researchers have disagreed on this that dating tends to encourage good
academic performance of students (especially when they study together,
encourage themselves, sort each other out with assignments), some even went
further to say that dating helps to create a sense of responsibility among
students. Healthy communication prepares them for the future. Researchers on
this other side of the spectrum include scholars such as Allen, 2010, Howard,
2004; Kopfler, 2001; Furman and Wehner, 2002.
However,
some other studies have not even shown in a clear stand on the issue, that is
to say the researcher(s) is inconsistent (Allen, 2010) and some others show
that their results tend to nullify the hypothesis (Pham, 2002; Abanaka, 2007).
The
foregoing has shown that dating in University of Calabar is conceived to be a
social problem because of its negative consequences on students’ social life
and academic performance. To some however, it is conceived to be a prerequisite
for attainment of specific goals. This clearly indicates that there exists a
misconception in the act of dating amongst students, giving rise to a growing
gap existing in previous studies on the topic. This prompts the researcher to
critically examine the perception of students on campus dating and its impacts
on student’s academic performance.
1.3
Research
Questions
The
following questions are raised to serve as a guide in the course of carrying
out this research work:
- What
is the nature of romantic relationship in University of Calabar?
- What
is the perception of campus dating in University of Calabar?
- What
are the social factors that facilitate dating amongst students?
- What
are the positive and negative impacts of campus dating on students’
academic performance?
- What
suitable measures could be put in place to improve students’ academic
performance?
1.4
Objectives
Of The Study
The
main objective of the study is to assess the Perception and Impact of Campus
Dating among Students of University of Calabar. Other specific objectives are
to:
- Examine
the nature of romantic relationship in University of Calabar.
- Examine
the perception of campus dating in University of Calabar.
- Identify
the social factors that facilitate dating amongst students.
- Examine
the positive and negative impact of campus dating on students’ academic
performance.
- Proffer
suitable measures on ways to improve students’ academic performance.
TOPIC: PERCEPTION AND IMPACT OF CAMPUS DATING AMONG STUDENTS’ OF UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR
Chapters: 1 - 5
Delivery: Email
Delivery: Email
Number of Pages: 95
Price: 3000 NGN
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