Adolescents and Sexuality Development in the Nigerian Educational System: The Role of Parents and Teachers

Abstract

Adolescence is a stage of physiological and psychological human development that occurs during the period of puberty to adulthood. It begins with onset of puberty from 11 or 12 years and ends with the assumption of adult responsibility at age 22. Pubertal period is characterized with accelerated growth in height and weight, secretion of hormones responsible for physiological activities of the cell in the body. Appearance of secondary sexual characteristics like menarche the first menstrual cycle, dispensation of semen or nocturnal emission by boys, Central to adolescent’s sexuality is the attainment of interrelated biological processes that change the immature child into a sexual matured person. Unless adequate information about the body especially in the reproductive area is made available, teenage pregnancies will be on the increase and epidemic of unmarried mothers will continue to grow. This period calls for the need for parents and teachers to effectively communicate with young people openly and regularly to make them stand up for their values and be in better control of their lives and health.

Keywords: Adolescence, Sexuality, Education