A Perception Study On Same Sex Marriage And Gay Practice Among Selected Nigerian Youths

BUCKNOR-ARIGBEDE, AdefemiTemilade

Institute of Peace & Strategic Studies

University of Ibadan

+234-81516967964

adefemifap@yahoo.com


Dr. OMOTOSO, Sharon Adetutu

Institute of African Studies

University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

+234-8034902904

sharonomotoso@gmail.com

Abstract

Marriage has evolved from its core traditional definition to a more complex structure of extended rights and liberties with different perspectives. Gay practice in Nigeria being a moral and criminal offence is unpopular as those who indulge in the act are not bold to openly declare their identities. There is a frame work of ethical oppositions towards gay practice and same sex marriage that calls for a critical analysis to determine the relevance or irrelevance of the root of the Nigerian moral context in the face of prevalent demand for the recognition of same sex marriage mostly by the liberal western civilization.Nonetheless, the fact still remains that it is secretly practiced in Nigeria and it is not alien to the Sub Saharan civilization to which Nigeria aligns itself. This study was carried out quantitatively and qualitatively using questionnaires and Focus Group Discussion with final year students of selected faculties in the University of Ibadan. The study reveals that the Nigerian same sex Prohibition act is supported by respondents who perceive gay practice and same sex marriage as a moral affront with possible negative consequences to the traditional norms of marriage and the society at large. It concludes thatthe Nigerian position on same sex marriage and gay practice will remain the same as long as Nigeria continues to make laws that reflect her religious and cultural identities.

Keywords

Gay practice; Nigeria; Perception; Same sex marriage; Youths.

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