COHABITIVE MARRIAGE AMONG UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATES IN KWARA STATE, NIGERIA: STUDENTS' PERCEIVED CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES

Abstract

The environment of tertiary institutions allows for free interaction between male and female
students throughout the days and nights which may have led them to be cohabiting. This study
therefore examines the perceived causes and consequences of cohabitation among university
undergraduates in Kwara State, Nigeria. The research design used for the study is the
descriptive survey type. 220 students were accidentally selected from three universities in
Kwara State. Researcher designed questionnaire was used for data collection. The reliability
coefficient of the questionnaire is 0.71. Research questions were answered using mean rating
while Research hypotheses were tested using t-test and ANOVA at 0.05 level of significance.
Findings revealed the cause of 'lack of accommodation in the school hostel' with a mean of 3.65
was ranked first as the major cause of cohabitation and the consequences of 'high risk of
abortion' with a mean of 3.50 was ranked first indicating the most perceived consequences of
cohabitation among university undergraduates in Kwara State. Another finding shows that the
there is significant difference in the view of male and female students on the causes of cohabitive
marriage which t value yielded 4.513 with P value .000 < 0.05. This shows a significant result. It
was therefore recommended that, the school administrators in collaboration with private
investors should make adequate provision for both male and female hostels. Also, there should
be regular sensitization workshop organized for the students on possible causes and
consequences of cohabiting in relation to their education by Educational psychologists,
counsellors, school and society specialists.