Influence of child-rearing practices, peer pressure and gender on adolescents’ sexual adventurism in Ghana

Abstract

This study examined the influence of child-rearing practices, peer pressure, and gender on sexual adventurism among adolescents in Ghana. The descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The study covered adolescences in Junior High Schools in Ghana between the ages of 12 and 19 years. A total of 525 adolescents were selected to participate in the study using the multistage sampling approach. The main instrument for data collection was a questionnaire. Data gathered were analysed using means and standard deviation, multivariate linear regression, multivariate multiple regression, simple moderation analysis and three-way interaction moderation analysis. The results revealed that peer pressure was found to be high among the respondents. Sexual Adventurism was also found to be high. Child-rearing practices, peer pressure, and gender significantly and independently predicted sexual adventurism. Parental discipline and gender acted as significant moderators in the relationship between peer pressure and sexual adventurism. Again, only in the presence of discipline could monitoring and warmth moderate the relationship between peer pressure and sexual adventurism. The study recommended that parents incorporate reasonable discipline in shaping their children’s behaviours against sexually deviant activities. It was also recommended that Guidance and Counselling coordinators should plan and organize programmes which center on reducing the prevalence of peer pressure and sexual adventurism. Conclusions drawn from the study included bringing out a better understanding of the role that discipline and peer pressure play in influencing adolescents’ sexual adventure