KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS TOWARDS HOMOSEXUALITY AND ITS IMPLICATION ON SOCIAL ADJUSTMENT A STUDY OF UNIVERSITY OF UYO STUDENTS
ABSTRACT
With civilization and urbanization on the increase in Nigeria today and also freedom from parents enjoyed by youths and students in various institutions of higher learning in Nigeria, different kinds of sexual orientation has developed which homosexual is one of them. Homosexuality being the romantic or sexual intercourse or behaviour between members of the same sex, has attracted much interest and attention as a social problems that needs to be investigated and solved. However, there have been different kinds of attitude towards the act and those involve in it. In Nigeria, it is strongly frowned at, because it is believed to have a negative effect on the general society, it therefore constitute a deviant behaviour and it is highly against the moral principle of Nigerian society in general and University Of Uyo in particular. Frequency tables and simple percentages were used in the analysis of the data collected from the field via questionnaire. Therefore, this study seeks to examine the attitude of undergraduate students towards homosexuality and its implication on social adjustment, hence examining how the attitudes of undergraduate students affect homosexuals in the school environment. The objective of this study aims on how students get involve in the act and also to ascertain how easy it is to disengage from the act and finally to discover if there is a positive correlation between attitude of undergraduates towards homosexuality and social adjustment of homosexuals.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Cover page – – – – – – – – – – i
Title page – – — – – – – – – – ii
Declaration – – – – – – – – – – iii
Certification – – – – – – – – – – iv
Dedication – – – – – – – – – – v
Acknowledgements – – – – – – – – vi
Abstract – – – – – – – – – – vii
Table of contents – – – – – – – – – viii
List of Tables – – – – – – – – – xi
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study – – – – – – – 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem – – – – – – 4
1.3 Objectives of the Study – – – – – – – 5
1.4 Research Questions – – – – – – – – 6
1.5 Research Hypothesis – – – – – – – 6
1.6 Significance of Study – – – – – – – – 7
1.7 Scope of the Study – – – – – – – – 8
1.8 Definition of Terms – – – — – – — – 8
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW & THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
2.1 Literature Review – – – – – — 10
2.1.1 An Overview of Homosexuality – – – – – 10
2.1.2 Involvement of Undergraduate Student in the act of
Homosexuality – – – – – – – 11
2.1.3 Students Attitude towards Homosexuality on Campus – 13
2.1.4 Harassment and Fear of Homosexuals – – — – 15
2.2 Review of Related Theories – – – – — 16
2.2.1 Psychoanalytical Theory – – – – – – 16
2.2.2 Biological Theory – – – – – – – 18
2.2.3 Sociological Theory – – – – – – 19
2.3 Theoretical Position – – – – — – – 21
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHOD
3.1 Research Design – – – – – – – 23
3.2 Study Area – – – – – – – – 23
3.3 The Study Population – – – — – – 24
3.4 Sample Size and Sampling Technique – – – – 24
3.5 Method of Data Collection – – – – – – 25
3.6 Method of Data Analysis – – – – – – 26
3.7 Validity and Reliability of the Research Instrument – – 26
3.8 Limitation of the Study – – – – – – 27
CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA
4.1 Demographic Data of Respondent – – – – – 28
4.2 Analysis of Research Questions – – – – – 28
4.3 Discussion of Key Findings – – – – – – 41
CHAPTERFIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1 Summary – – — — – – – – 43
5.2 Conclusion – – – – – – – – 44
5.3 Recommendation – – – – – – – 45
References – – – – – – – – – 46
Appendices – – – – – – – – – 48
LIST OF TABLES
Table 4.1.1: Distribution of Questionnaire – – – – – 28
Table 4.1.2 Gender Distribution of Respondents – – – – 29
Table 4.1.3: Age Distribution of Respondents – – – – 29
Table 4.1.4: Religious Distribution of Respondents – – – – 31
Table 4.2.1: Contingency table for testing research question 2
which sought to know how students perceive homosexuality. – – 32
Table 4.2.2 Contingency table for testing responses to question 8 in the questionnaire which sought to know if homosexuality is a
genetic or learned issue. – – – – – – – – 33
Table 4.2.3 Contingency table for testing research question 3 which seeks to know if students get involved in the act of homosexuality – – – 34
Table 4.2.4: Contingency table for testing responses to question 10 in the questionnaire which sought to know if homosexuality is dehumanizing 35
Table 4.2.5: Contingency table for testing research question 4 which sought to how easy it is to discontinue from the act. – – – – – 36
Table 4.2.6: Contingency table for testing responses to question 12 in the questionnaire which sought to know if granted the opportunity, there will be advocacy for the legalization of homosexuality. – – – – 36
Table 4.2.7: Contingency table for testing responses to question 13 in the questionnaire which sought to know if respondents think homosexuals are mentally disabled. – – – – – – – – – 38
Table 4.2.8: Contingency table for testing research question 5 which sought to know what students feel about homosexuals. – – – – – 39
Table 4.2.9: Contingency table for testing question 15 on the questionnaire which sought to know if homosexuality is a choice. – – – 39
Table 4.2.10: Contingency table for testing question 16 on the questionnaire which sought to know if the attitude of undergraduate students towards homosexuals has implications on the homosexual’s adjustment – – 39
Table 4.2.11: Contingency table for testing question 17 on the questionnaire which sought to know if the homosexuals live comfortably with heterosexual students. – – – – – – – – – – 40
Table 4.2.12: Contingency table for testing question 18 on the questionnaire which sought to know if in the opinion of the respondent, homosexuality is a moral act. – – – – – – – – 40
Table 4.2.13: Contingency table for testing question 20 on the questionnaire which sought to find out if, gender exclusive schools causes homosexuality. 41
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the study
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual intercourse or behaviour between members of the same sex (Beth,1992). As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectionate or romantic attractions primarily and exclusively with people of the same sex (Redmond, 1999).
The term homosexual is derived from a Greek word “homos” which means same. Thus, connoting sexual acts and affections between members of the same sex. Lesbianism is a sexual act between females while gay generally refers to male homosexuality. The word “Lesbians” is derived from the name of the Greek island “Lesbos”, where the poet Sappho wrote largely about her emotional relation with young women.
Historically, homosexuality has attracted much interest and attention but attitudes towards such preference to have sex with one of the same gender have varied in different epochs and cultural groups ranging from acceptance as among the ancient Greeks, to measured tolerance in the Roman times and outright condemnations (Reeder, 1999).
In primitive time, negative attitude is found in different cultures even in Africa, there has been serious condemnation of homosexuality such that anyone involved in act will be put to death.
In the late 19th century, ambivalent attitude have prevailed. That is, opposing feelings about homosexuality such that some people fell homosexuality is normal and they tend to fight for their freedom. In some primitive societies homosexual activities are considered normal and socially acceptable. For instance in Arunta of Central Australia, homosexuality is a common practice. Some nations such as Great Britain, United States and West Germany to mention but a few have recently legalized homosexual relations between consenting adults. In the United States, in the 1940s homosexuality was classified as felony with punishment up to life imprisonment in all states (Beach 1991).
By the early 1970s at least ten states had legalized such acts between consenting adults. One third of the societies studied by Ford and Beach(1977) include many industrialized countries; give little or no sanction to homosexuals.
In recent years in the United States such organizations as the Gay Activities Alliance and the Daughters of Bilitis have attempted to influence public opinion and legislation toward greater tolerance of homosexuals. Their effort and other world associations and conferences such as the 1974 Berkshire conference and also the 1973 meeting of the Association of homosexual activists and other various meetings along with Gay advocacy books have created several attitudes among people of the world and attracted attentions. Recently, even in Nigeria, homosexuality is beginning to spread and open up and even though there has been a law against the act, still it is in existence in the country and also in various institution of higher learning in the country, including University of Uyo where there has been cases of homosexual activities amongst students though not too obvious and popular but it exist and there has been various attitudes towards it from other students who do not get involved in the act.
While a lot of research have been carried out in other aspect of students attitude very little or nothing has been done in the area of research on the attitude of students towards homosexuality. It is on this premise that this study seek to unravel the knowledge and general attitude of students towards homosexuality.