American International Journal of Social Science

Factors that Militate against Effective Guidance and Counseling on Students’ Sexual Awareness, Attitude and Behavior in Schools
Songok. Alice., Dr.Yungungu. Alice., Mulinge. Patrick.

Abstract
Guidance and counseling comprises a very important and vital part of educational activities. It has emerged as a discipline to provide help to students such that they are not tormented by their internal conflicts and do not resort to self-destructive strategies. Guidance and counseling would certainly help to brighten the lives of many young people for it promotes emotional maturity, personality development, self responsibility, creativity and ability to solve problems. The role of the school and that of the teachers has, therefore, been expanding as the society becomes more diversified. With the crumbling of traditional family counselling, the guidance and counselling teachers have the direct responsibility for personal, social and moral welfare of the students. However, even after the establishment of the guidance and counseling units in schools, the wastage of youth as potential resources of our country is still deeply lamented as majority of them turn to self destruction through decadent acts. As a result of such acts, research studies reveal that the prevalence of adolescent pregnancies, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections among secondary school students is alarming. Following such findings questions arise on the role of guidance and counselling on imparting sexual knowledge and promoting responsible attitudes and behaviours to the youth. It is therefore in light of this that this paper seeks to address the factors that militate against effective guidance and counseling to students on sex knowledge, attitude and behavior. It is hoped that this paper will be invaluable to the Ministry of Education, Teachers Training Institutions and Non-governmental organizations working to expand guidance and counselling in schools with the sole intent of enhancing adolescent sexuality awareness, promotion of positive sexual attitude and responsible sexual behavior.

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