2 - Dating Practices and Patterns of Disclosure among in-School Adolescents in Oyo State, Nigeria
Corresponding Author(s) : Agunbiade Ojo Melvin
Africa Development,
Vol. 37 No. 3 (2012): Africa Development: Special Issue on Parents’ Involvement in Children’s Lives in Africa
Abstract
Dating relationships are central to adolescents’ lives. Dating and romance are major topics of adolescents’ conversations and are linked to both positive and negative emotions. This study examined dating patterns, dating disclosure and parent’s awareness in Ibadan metropolis using a mixed method design and found that adolescents are confronted with cultural, religious, situational and self-imposed dilemmas in negotiating the boundaries between privacy and disclosure. Previous unsolicited sexual experiences and the media were influential in facilitating dating intentions. Gender and age were dominant factors in the disclosure and dating patterns of the adolescents with more females than males involved in dating, and older adolescents (ages 17-19) disclosing more about their dating relationships to peers than those between 14 and 16 years of age. This research also established that when parents were suspicious of their adolescents’ involvement in dating because parents were apprehensive of adolescents’ ability to manage dating relationships, most adolescents distorted the information they divulged.
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- Connolly, J., Furman, W., & Konarski, R., 2000, ‘The role of peers in the emergence of heterosexual romantic relationships in adolescence’, Child Development, Vol. 71, pp. 1395-1408.
- Consendine, N.S., Sabag-Cohen, S., & Krivoshekova, Y.S., 2007, ‘Ethnic, gender and socio-economic differences in young adults’ self disclosure: who discloses what and to whom?’, Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, Vol. 13, pp. 254-263.
- Daddis C. & Randolph. D., 2010, ‘Dating and disclosure: Adolescent management of information regarding romantic involvement’, Journal of Adolescence, Vol. 33, pp. 309-320.
- Daddis, C., 2008, ‘Influence of close friends on the boundaries of adolescent personal authority’, Journal of Research on Adolescence, Vol. 18, pp. 75-98.
- Itlas, A.S., 2006, ‘Human subjects research: Ethics and compliance’, in A. S. Itlas, ed., Research ethics, pp.1-21, New York: Routledge.
- Izugbara, C.O., 2004, ‘Notions of sex, sexuality and relationships among adolescent boys in Southeastern Nigeria’ Sex Education, Vol. 4, pp. 63-79.
- Izugbara, C.O., 2008, ‘Home-Based Sexuality Education: Nigerian Parents Discussing Sex with Their Children’, Youth and Society, Vol. 39, no. 4, pp. 575-600.
- Kerr, M., & Stattin, H., 2000, ‘What parents know, how they know it, and several forms of adolescent adjustment: further support for reinterpretation of monitoring’, Developmental Psychology, Vol. 36, pp. 366-380.
- Laird, R.D., Petit, G.S., Bates, J.E., & Dodge, K.A., 2003, ‘Parents’ monitoring- relevant knowledge and adolescents’ delinquent behaviour: evidence of correlated developmental changes and reciprocal influences’, Child Development, Vol. 74, pp. 752-768.
- Madsen, S.D. & Collins W. A., 2011, ‘The Salience of Adolescent Romantic Experiences for Romantic Relationship Qualities in Young Adulthood’, Journal of Research on Adolescence, 21, Vol. no. 4, pp. 789-801.
- Madu S. N. & Peltzer K., 2000, ‘Risk Factors and Child Sexual Abuse among Secondary School Students in the Northern Province (South Africa)’, Child Abuse & Neglect, Vol. 24, no. 2, pp. 259-268.
- Oluwole, D.A., 2009, ‘Spirituality, Gender and Age Factors in Cybergossip Among Nigerian Adolescents’, Cyberpsychology & Behavior, Vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 323- 326.
- Oye-Adeniran, B.A, Adewole, I.F., Umoh, A.V., Ekanem, E.E., Gbadegesin, A., & Iwere, N., 2004, ‘Community-Based Survey of Unwanted Pregnancy in Southwestern Nigeria’, African Journal of Reproductive Health, Vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 103-115.
- Papini, D.R., Farmer, F.F., Clark, S.M., & Micka, J.C., 1990, ‘Early adolescent age and gender differences in patterns of emotional self-disclosure to parents and friends’, Adolescence, Vol. 25, no. 100, pp. 959-976.
- Patton, M.Q., 2002, Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods, 3rd ed., Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
- Petronio, S., 2002, Boundaries of privacy: Dialectics of disclosure, Albany, NY: SUNY Press.
- Petronio, S., & Durham, W.T., 2008, ‘Communication privacy management theory’, in L. A. Baxter & D.O. Braithwaite, eds., Engaging theories in interpersonal communication: Multiple perspectives (pp. 309-322). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
- Regmi, P.R., van Teijlingen, E.R., Simkhada, P., & Acharya, D.R., 2011, ‘Dating and Sex among Emerging Adults in Nepal’, Journal of Adolescent Research, Vol. 26, no. 6, pp. 675-700.
- Ryan, G.W. & Bernard, H.R., 2003, ‘Techniques to Identify Themes’, Field Methods, Vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 85-109.
- Soenens, B.,Vansteenkiste, M., Luyckx, K., & Goossens, L., 2006, ‘Parenting and adolescent problem behaviour: an integrated model with adolescent self- disclosure and perceived parental knowledge as intervening variables’, Developmental psychology, Vol. 42, pp. 305-318.
- Smentana J.G., 2008, ‘«It’s 10 o’clock: Do you Know Where your Children Are?» Recent Advances in Understanding Parental Monitoring and Adolescents’ Information Management’, Child Development Perspectives, Vol. 2, pp. 19-25.
- Smetana, J.G., 2005, ‘Adolescent-parent Conflict: Resistance and Subversion as Developmental Processes’, in Nucci, L., ed., Conflict, Contradiction, and Contrarian Elements in Moral Development and Education, Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum. pp. 69-91.
- Smetana, J.G., & Asquith, P., 1994, ‘Adolescents’ and Parents’ Conceptions of Parental Authority and Adolescent Autonomy’, Child Development, Vol. 65, pp. 1147-1162.
- Smentana, J.G., Villalobos,M., Rogge, R.D., Tasopoulos-Chan, M., 2010, ‘Keeping Secrets from Parents: Daily Variations Among Poor, Urban Adolescents’, Journal of Adolescence, Vol. 33, pp. 321-331.
- Sullivan, T.N., Erwin, E.H., Helms, S.W., Masho, S.W., Farrell, A.D., 2010, ‘Problematic Situations Associated with Dating Experiences and Relationships among Urban African American Adolescents: A Qualitative Study’, Journal of Primary Prevention, Vol. 31, no. 5, pp. 365-378.
- Whatley, M., & Henken, E.R., 2000, Did you Hear about the Girl Who? Contemporary Legend Folklore and Human Sexuality, New York: New York University Press.
References
Connolly, J., Furman, W., & Konarski, R., 2000, ‘The role of peers in the emergence of heterosexual romantic relationships in adolescence’, Child Development, Vol. 71, pp. 1395-1408.
Consendine, N.S., Sabag-Cohen, S., & Krivoshekova, Y.S., 2007, ‘Ethnic, gender and socio-economic differences in young adults’ self disclosure: who discloses what and to whom?’, Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, Vol. 13, pp. 254-263.
Daddis C. & Randolph. D., 2010, ‘Dating and disclosure: Adolescent management of information regarding romantic involvement’, Journal of Adolescence, Vol. 33, pp. 309-320.
Daddis, C., 2008, ‘Influence of close friends on the boundaries of adolescent personal authority’, Journal of Research on Adolescence, Vol. 18, pp. 75-98.
Itlas, A.S., 2006, ‘Human subjects research: Ethics and compliance’, in A. S. Itlas, ed., Research ethics, pp.1-21, New York: Routledge.
Izugbara, C.O., 2004, ‘Notions of sex, sexuality and relationships among adolescent boys in Southeastern Nigeria’ Sex Education, Vol. 4, pp. 63-79.
Izugbara, C.O., 2008, ‘Home-Based Sexuality Education: Nigerian Parents Discussing Sex with Their Children’, Youth and Society, Vol. 39, no. 4, pp. 575-600.
Kerr, M., & Stattin, H., 2000, ‘What parents know, how they know it, and several forms of adolescent adjustment: further support for reinterpretation of monitoring’, Developmental Psychology, Vol. 36, pp. 366-380.
Laird, R.D., Petit, G.S., Bates, J.E., & Dodge, K.A., 2003, ‘Parents’ monitoring- relevant knowledge and adolescents’ delinquent behaviour: evidence of correlated developmental changes and reciprocal influences’, Child Development, Vol. 74, pp. 752-768.
Madsen, S.D. & Collins W. A., 2011, ‘The Salience of Adolescent Romantic Experiences for Romantic Relationship Qualities in Young Adulthood’, Journal of Research on Adolescence, 21, Vol. no. 4, pp. 789-801.
Madu S. N. & Peltzer K., 2000, ‘Risk Factors and Child Sexual Abuse among Secondary School Students in the Northern Province (South Africa)’, Child Abuse & Neglect, Vol. 24, no. 2, pp. 259-268.
Oluwole, D.A., 2009, ‘Spirituality, Gender and Age Factors in Cybergossip Among Nigerian Adolescents’, Cyberpsychology & Behavior, Vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 323- 326.
Oye-Adeniran, B.A, Adewole, I.F., Umoh, A.V., Ekanem, E.E., Gbadegesin, A., & Iwere, N., 2004, ‘Community-Based Survey of Unwanted Pregnancy in Southwestern Nigeria’, African Journal of Reproductive Health, Vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 103-115.
Papini, D.R., Farmer, F.F., Clark, S.M., & Micka, J.C., 1990, ‘Early adolescent age and gender differences in patterns of emotional self-disclosure to parents and friends’, Adolescence, Vol. 25, no. 100, pp. 959-976.
Patton, M.Q., 2002, Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods, 3rd ed., Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Petronio, S., 2002, Boundaries of privacy: Dialectics of disclosure, Albany, NY: SUNY Press.
Petronio, S., & Durham, W.T., 2008, ‘Communication privacy management theory’, in L. A. Baxter & D.O. Braithwaite, eds., Engaging theories in interpersonal communication: Multiple perspectives (pp. 309-322). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Regmi, P.R., van Teijlingen, E.R., Simkhada, P., & Acharya, D.R., 2011, ‘Dating and Sex among Emerging Adults in Nepal’, Journal of Adolescent Research, Vol. 26, no. 6, pp. 675-700.
Ryan, G.W. & Bernard, H.R., 2003, ‘Techniques to Identify Themes’, Field Methods, Vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 85-109.
Soenens, B.,Vansteenkiste, M., Luyckx, K., & Goossens, L., 2006, ‘Parenting and adolescent problem behaviour: an integrated model with adolescent self- disclosure and perceived parental knowledge as intervening variables’, Developmental psychology, Vol. 42, pp. 305-318.
Smentana J.G., 2008, ‘«It’s 10 o’clock: Do you Know Where your Children Are?» Recent Advances in Understanding Parental Monitoring and Adolescents’ Information Management’, Child Development Perspectives, Vol. 2, pp. 19-25.
Smetana, J.G., 2005, ‘Adolescent-parent Conflict: Resistance and Subversion as Developmental Processes’, in Nucci, L., ed., Conflict, Contradiction, and Contrarian Elements in Moral Development and Education, Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum. pp. 69-91.
Smetana, J.G., & Asquith, P., 1994, ‘Adolescents’ and Parents’ Conceptions of Parental Authority and Adolescent Autonomy’, Child Development, Vol. 65, pp. 1147-1162.
Smentana, J.G., Villalobos,M., Rogge, R.D., Tasopoulos-Chan, M., 2010, ‘Keeping Secrets from Parents: Daily Variations Among Poor, Urban Adolescents’, Journal of Adolescence, Vol. 33, pp. 321-331.
Sullivan, T.N., Erwin, E.H., Helms, S.W., Masho, S.W., Farrell, A.D., 2010, ‘Problematic Situations Associated with Dating Experiences and Relationships among Urban African American Adolescents: A Qualitative Study’, Journal of Primary Prevention, Vol. 31, no. 5, pp. 365-378.
Whatley, M., & Henken, E.R., 2000, Did you Hear about the Girl Who? Contemporary Legend Folklore and Human Sexuality, New York: New York University Press.