The Effect of Premarital Sex on Academic Achievement of Secondary School Student in Ekiti State

ABSTRACT This research project explore how Premarital sex among secondary school students is a phenomenon that has seen increasing prevalence in recent years, identify various factors that fueled it such as early exposure to sexual content through media, peer pressure, lack of adequate sex education, and changing societal norms and the likely consequences on the physical and psychological health of students, which in turn can affect their academic performance. The study employs survey research design using questionnaire to gather data from the respondents and data collected were analyzed using the statistical package for social scienceV23. The instrument used in this study is premarital sex and academic achievement test (PSAAT 2024) which was developed by the researcher .Findings revealed the percentage distribution of respondents on the negative effect of engaging in premarital sexual activities the ability to focus on studies, 165 respondents representing (58.%) agreed both in strong and mild terms that engaging in premarital sexual activities do affect their ability to focus on their studies. while More than half of the respondents 67% affirmed that Emotional trauma from premarital sex impair their academic performances. 73 of the respondents representing (25.6%) agreed altogether that Engaging in premarital sexual activity has improve their academic performances positively. However an overwhelming majority of the respondents 211 representing 74.4 of the respondents disagreed with this assertion. Overwhelming majority of the respondents (65%) disagreed that Engaging in premarital sexual activities has not affected their academic motivation. However, 35% of the respondents acknowledges the fact that engaging in premarital sexual activities has not affected their academic motivation. Recommendations include enhancing sex education programs, parental involvement and support, counseling and support service in schools, peer education and mentorship programs, media literacy programs, community engagement initiative This research contributes to the existing knowledge in social research especially in the area of premarital , providing actionable recommendations for policymakers, educators, parents and guardians to tackle this growing challenge