UNIT 2: IMMORALITY

IMMORALITY

> Immorality is the inability to follow acceptable sexual behaviour or conduct

It involves going against rules and regulations that have been set by society to

guide the sexual behaviour of individuals.

The Book of Galatians 5: 19 and Colossians 3:5 to 8 speak against immoral acts.

IMMORAL BEHAVIOUR

Immoral behaviour refers to acts or behaviours which do not conform to the norms of

any given society

Examples of immoral acts or behaviours:

1. Pre-marital sex or fornication.

2. Practising homosexuality. That is, being a gay or a lesbian. A gay person is a man

who engages in sexual act with another man. A lesbian is also a woman who

engages in sexual act with another woman.

3. Engaging in extra-marital sexual activities or adultery. This involves a married

man or woman engaging in sexual activities outside the marriage.

4. Engaging in polygamous lifestyle or marriage as a Christian. That is, marrying

more than one wife.

5. Masturbating. This involves stimulating your sexual organ in order to get pleasure

or ejaculation.

6.

Raping or defiling girls. Raping means having forced sexual intercourse with a

lady or a man without his or her consent. Defilement is the act of having sexual

intercourse with a girl who is below 18 years.

7. Looking at a man or woman in a lustful way.

8. Practising prostitution.

9. Drug abuse

10. Sodomy, defiling young boys

CAUSES OF IMMORALITY
1. Being greedy:

Many people in society are immoral because of greediness.

2. Economic hardships:

Those that engage in prostitution or sex trade site severe economic hardship in

the country as the cause.

3. The strong desire for material things:

The world today is becoming more materialistic. People are interested in cars

houses, expensive dresses, and the pleasures of life. The quest for material things

pushes many people to engage in immoral acts so as to acquire them.

4. Increased substance abuse:

The high incidence of substance abuse such as alcohol, hard drugs and banne

substances results in people engaging in immoral acts.

Exposure to pornographic materials:

materials like magazines, books, videos and the Internet. Students easily get

The causes of immorality are also attributed to exposure to pornographic

access to sexually related materials which corrupt their mind and out of curiosity

practise what they see or read.

Poor parental control:

Some parents fail to provide proper care or to demonstrate good moral habits for

their children to adopt

1. Poverty:

Poverty may cause the youth to engage in some immoral acts like drug trafficking

and homosexuality to earn a living

& Curiosity and adventure:

Some youth would like to have the experience of immoral behaviours

9. Influence from peers or friends:

Peers may persuade their friends to undertake immoral acts like drug abuse

1 Lack of self control or self discipline

Most youth today lack self-discipline because they are weak in the mind.
11. Broken homes

A child from a broken home joins bad group since he or she is not under any

parental supervision

EFFECTS OF IMMORALITY

1. It leads to teenage pregnancy:

Teenagers who engage in immoral acts such as pre-marital sex may get pregnant.

A teenage mother faces many challenges like poor nutrition, high blood pressure,

emotional trauma etc.

2 It leads to teenage parenting:

Teenage boys and girls who engage in pre-marital acts may become teenage

parents. A teenage father or mother may face the following risks: dropping out of

school; lacking skills in any career; poverty; smoking and drinking etc.

3. Babies born by teenagers have low birth weight.

They may weigh less than 2.5Kg. Such children may have physical and mental

deformities. The bad habits of the teenage parents such as smoking, substance

abuse may adversely affect the health of the child.

Increased school dropout rate:

Teenage pregnancy due to pre-marital sex can increase school dropout rate. This

may undermine the future progress of the affected person.

It leads to poverty:

Immorality contributes to unemployment, economic hardship and poverty.

6. Increased social vices:

Immorality leads to increased social vices like stealing, armed robbery,

prostitution, and substance abuse.

7. Loss of respect and dignity:

An immoral person may lose his self esteem, dignity and respect from friends and

society. For example, an adulterous husband or wife may not be respected by

close relations because of the immoral act he or she is engaging in.

8. Increased sexually transmitted infections:

infections like syphilis and HIV/AIDS. If any of the STIs are not treated it can lead

Prostitution and extra-marital affair expose the individual to sexually transmitted

to infertility in the future. HIV/AIDS will eventually lead to pre-mature death of the

affected person.

9. Unemployment:

t getting

Those who engage in immoral acts can lose their jobs or will find it difficult

employed

10. Health problems:

Immoral acts like drug abuse can pose health problems like liver disorders, mental

challenges, infertility etc.

MORALITY

>

Morality is standards of conduct that are generally accepted as right or proper.

Morality describes the principles that govern our behaviour. Without these

principles in place, societies cannot survive for long.

>

Morality, as it relates to our behaviour is important on three levels:

to ensure fair play and harmony between individuals;

to help make us good people in order to have a good society;

to keep us in a good relationship with the power that created us.

Morality impacts our everyday decisions, and those choices are directed by our

conscience

WAYS OF LIVING A GOOD MORAL LIFE

1. By being truthful

2. By being obedient and respectful

3. By being tolerant

4. By being patient
5. By being law-abiding

6. By showing love to everybody

7. By being honest

8. By being faithful

BENEFITS OF LIVING A GOOD MORAL LIFE

1. One becomes happy

2. One is always at peace with others

3. One becomes fearless

4. One always has a sound mind

5. One obtains good recommendations from society

6. One is always focused in life

7. One receives blessings from God

8. One gets support from society

ACTIVITY 2.5: Pupils role-play a situation in which a boy or a girl became

a school-drop-out as a result of immorality.

IMPORTANCE OF MORALITY

Morality produces good ethics and virtues such as kindness, faithfulness, love,

self-control, gentleness, and being law-abiding. These are examples of moral

principles expected from every individual. These virtues are ideal for peaceful co-

existence in society.

1.

2.

3.

Morality helps the individual to use his or her sense of judgment. Sound moral

values helps individuals in society to differentiate between what is right or wrong.

Good and sound moral ethics are as suitable as a training ground for individuals.

It is the civic responsibility of every good citizen to aspire to develop good morals.

Morality prepares people in a given society to secure basic attributes for

leadership positions.
4.

5.

Morality gives a sense of direction in life. Moral Education gives an individual

values that enables him or her to plan for the future.

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES (STD'S)

> Sexually Transmitted Diseases are diseases that can be transferred from one

person to another through any type of sexual activity.

Examples of sexually transmitted diseases are Syphilis, Gonorrhoea and

HIV/AIDS.

> Sexual activity includes kissing, oral sex, anal sex, vaginal sex, and the use

of sexual "toys," such as vibrators.

> There are at least 25 different sexually transmitted diseases with a range of

different symptoms. These diseases may be spread through vaginal, anal and

oral sex.

> STDs are sometimes referred to as sexually transmitted infections

(STIS). This is because they are caused by germs or micro-organisms

(pathogens) and that the micro-organisms are transmitted from an infected

person to an uninfected person through intimate sexual activities.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that about 128 million cases of

new STD's are recorded each year worldwide. This figure makes the incidence

of STD's very high than any other diseases globally.

Who gets STD's?

> STD's are universal in nature. This means that they can affect anybody who

engages in risk behaviour.

Risk behaviour is an action by a person that threatens his/her health status, can

cause injury and premature death.

Examples of Risk Behaviour that can cause one to be infected with STDs

1. Having unprotected sex with an infected person.

2. Having penile-anal (penis/anus) sex with an infected person.

3. Having oral-genital (mouth-penis-vaginal) sex with an infected STD carrier.

4. Engaging in group sexual activities such as masturbation in which you may infect

yourself or others with vaginal secretions or sperms (semen).

5. Having sexual activities with multiple sex partners or a person with multiple sex

partners.

6. Having sexual intercourse with a commercial sex worker or prostitute.

7. Having deep open mouth kissing with a person whose mouth contains sores,

ulcers and blisters that contain germs that cause STD's.

8. Having contact with contaminated objects that have been used by a carrier of an

STD.

9. Sharing sharp or pointed objects with other people for injecting drugs, shaving,

piercing or for cutting.

10. Using untreated needles or pins for tattoos, piercing ears, nose and other parts of the body.

11. Having blood covenant or mixing blood in a cultic-ceremony.

12. Having contact with the blood, semen, fluids, mucus and vaginal secretion of a

patient suffering from STD's.

13. Having blood transfusion with blood or its related product which was not properly

screened.

14. Having tissue transplant such as bone marrow, skin grafting, kidney, heart etc.

from a person infected with an STD.

15. Having contact with blisters, sores and ulcers of persons with STD's.

16. Being infected by an infected mother during delivery (Mother-to-child Transfer).

17. Coming in contact with objects used by an infected person such as mattress,

clothing, panties, braziers and socks.

Why there Is So Much STDs

Many factors are responsible for the high incidence of STD's.

These include the following:

1. Resistance of germs to medication: Most of the pathogens have developed

through time and some have become resistant to existing drugs for treating STD's.
2. Continuous use of birth control pills/methods: Most adolescents and the

youth now practise sexual activities without fear of being pregnant because they

use pills and foaming tablets. So, they protect themselves against unplanned

pregnancy and not against STD's.

3. Early Sexual Activities: Sex is now a household word for many youth. Some

have multiple partners and engage in risky behaviours. Some start sexual

activities at tender ages and have many sexual partners. This exposes them to

germs that cause STD's.

The Main Sexually Transmitted Diseases

The most common Sexually Transmitted Diseases are

1. Candidiasis (Thrush).

2. Gonorrhoea.

3. Syphilis

4. HIV/AIDS,

5. Genital herpes.

6. Hepatitis B.

7. Genital warts.

8. Genital Chlamydia.

9. Pubic lies.

1. CANDIDIASIS (Thrush)

Candidiasis is a yeast infection caused by a fungus called Candida-

Albicans.

> Candidiasis is not technically a sexually transmitted infection.

➤ This is because Candida is found on the skin and genitals of most people,

including those who have not had sex.

>

Candida is usually suppressed by the immune system and the natural bacteria

found in the body, but there are many things that can upset the balance and

allow Candida to grow.

Candidiasis or Thrush is common in women than men.

Causes of Candidiasis

There are many causes of Candidiasis, but the most common ones are as follows:

1. Women wearing nylon panties (the lack of air circulation can cause Candida

to multiply to cause disease).

2. Certain antibiotics or contraceptive pills alter the pH balance of the vagina to

create good condition for the disease.

3. A change in the hormonal balance in pregnant women, causing a change in

the level of normal bacteria.

4. Spermicides (found on some condoms) or perfumed toiletries that irritate the

vagina or penis.

5. Douching (washing out the vagina) or using tampons.

6. Sexual contact (either genital or oral) with someone who carries the Candida

yeast.

Mode of Transmission of Candidiasis

> The fungus is transmitted from an infected female to an uninfected male

through penile-vaginal sex.

> The fungus can also develop and hide at the foreskin of a penis and then be

transmitted from the male to a female during sexual intercourse (penile-

vaginal, penile-anal and oral-genital).

Symptoms of Candidiasis

1. In women, there is burning sensation, itching, and thick whitish fowl-smelling

discharge from the vagina.

2 In males, there is burning sensation and itching during urination.

Effects of Candidiasis

It affects the mouth, oesophagus, skin and other organs in the body.

Treatment and Prevention of Candidiasis

1. Applying an anti-fungal cream

2. Washing the genitals with water to avoid irritation

3. Wearing loose fitting cotton underwear and clothes.

2. GONORRHOEA

Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium

Neisseria gonorrhoea. It is the commonest STDs today.

>

The disease affects about 62 million people each year. It affects more women

than men worldwide.

>

The bacterium takes between 2 and 7 days or longer to develop in its new

host or victim. It mostly infects the epithelial surface of the urinary tract, cervix,

urethra, rectum, anus, and throat of men and women.

Mode of Transmission of Gonorrhoea

>Gonorrhoea is transmitted through sexual contact. This includes vaginal

intercourse and anal intercourse.

> Oral sex can also pass on the germ, and some people actually develop a sore

throat due to gonorrhoeal infection.

Mothers infected with gonorrhoea can transfer the disease to their children

during delivery. If left untreated, such children would develop a serious

inflammation of the eyes which could result in blindness

Signs and Symptoms of Gonorrhoea

1. Discharge from the eyes of a new born baby a day or two after birth is an

indication of gonorrhoeal infection.

2. In females, there is a burning sensation during urination, regular discharge from

the vagina, painful intercourse, abnormal menstrual bleeding, genital irritation

and increased urination.

3. In males or men, the symptoms include burning urination, thick yellow or green

urethral discharge, pain and increased frequent urination.

4. Regular discharge from the anus especially among those who practise anal

sex
5. In both sexes, a throat infection can occur as a result of oral sex with an infected

partner Sometimes the sore throat is accompanied by a fever. However, there

may be no symptoms at all.

Effects of Gonorrhoea

In both males and females, untreated Gonorrhoea can lead to sterility

(infertility).

In females, it is largely responsible for ectopic preghancy. Tnis is because

bacteria easily spread to the fallopian tubes causing a blockage

It can affect the eyes of an unborn child leading to blindness if not trealed

It also disrupts the menstrual cycle of affected women.

5 It is largely responsible for Pelvic Inflammatory Diseases (PIDs),

Treatment of Gonorrhoea:

One should seek medical attention immediately any of the symptoe

manifest.

> There are antibiotics for treating the disease effectively at health centres one.

it is diagnosed that one is infected

Prevention of Gonorrhoea

1. One should avoid having sex with multiple partners.

2. One should practise safe sex by using condom.

3. One should not have sex under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.

4. One should be disciplined and not engage in oral or anal sex.

3.SYPHILIS

> Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium

Treponema pallidum.

> It takes between 10 and 90 days (3 months) to develop in the infected person

> About 12 million new infections occur annually worldwide.

> The bacterium penetrates layers under the skin of infected persons and

creates sores (lesions) on any part of the body it affects.

Mode of Transmission of Syphilis

> Syphilis is passed on from person to person through direct contact with

syphilis sore.

> Sores occur mainly on the external genitals, vagina, anus, or in the rectum.

> Sores can also occur on the lips and in the mouth.

> Transmission of the bacterium occurs during vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

> Pregnant women with the disease can pass it to the babies they are carrying

> Syphilis cannot be spread through contact with toilet seats, doorknobs

swimming pools, hot tubs, bathtubs, shared clothing, or eating utensils.

> The bacterium is transmitted through direct contact with sores of an affecled

individual during sexual engagement (anal, vaginal and oral sex).

Signs and Symptoms of Syphilis

The bacterium develops through four stages and each stage has its symptoms

1. Primary Stage:

This stage normally occurs between 10 and 90 davs after infection Dy

bacterium.

The primary stage affects the lips, tongue, genitals (penis, cervix, voe

vagina), fingers, anus, mouth, nipples, and legs.

The anected part of the body develops chancres or painless ulcers (Sofe-like

TeaturesS) The chancres or sores are hard. round and painless with tased

edges around the affected part of the body.

ne chancre lasts 3 to 6 weeks. and it heals without treatment. However,

adequate treatment is not administered. the infection progresses to tne

secondary stage.

2. Secondary Stage:

Afected parts develop rashes and sores, which easily spread to the entire

body.

Flat warts-looking growths occur on the vulva in women and around the anUs

in men.

White patches also develop on the tongue or roof of the mouth.

This stage is associated with fever, headache, weight loss, hair loss and

Swollen of lymphatic nodes.

3. Latent Stage:

When syphilis is not treated at the secondary stage, it progresses to the latent

stage. At this stage, the bacterium remains dormant in the infected person,

but destroys many tissues and organs in the body.

Signs and symptoms of the latent stage include difficulty coordinating muscle

movements, paralysis, numbness, gradual blindness, and dementia. This

damage may be serious enough to cause death.

4. Tertiary Stage:

Untreated syphilis at the latent stage develops to the final (tertiary) stage.

This final stage is characterized by complete destruction of some organs and

tissues. This takes place after 10 years of infection.

Signs and symptoms of the final stage include difficulty coordinating muscle

movements, paralysis, numbness, gradual blindness, and dementia.

This damage may be serious enough to cause death

Effects of Syphilis

1 It destroys permanently the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord. and

nerves)

2 It destroys the circulatory system

3 It causes blindness, paralysis, mental problems and damages to the liver.

Treatment of Syphlis

1Syphilis is easy to cure in its early stages with antiblotics

2. Persons who receive syphilis treatment must abstain from sexual contact with

new partners until the syphilis sores are completely healed.

Control and Preventlon of Syphlis

1 One should abstain from sexual activities or be with a partner who has been

fested and is known to be uninfected

2. One should avoid alcohol and drug use because these activities are risky
behaviours that may lead to the transmission of syphilis.

3. One should use condom during sexual intercourse to reduce the rate of

infection.

4. Regular checkups for STDs may reduce the development of the bacterium

4. HIV/AIDS

> HIV (Human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired

Immune Deficiency Syndrome).

> AIDS is the disease that results when the virus destroys completely the

immune system (the body's ability to fight against diseases or infections).

Currently, there are over 42 million people worldwide living with the HIV

>

infection.

An estimated 25 million people have died from HIV/AIDS globally.

AIDS is the most serious and deadliest disease in the history of humanity.

Mode of Transmission of HIV/AIDS

1. HIV infection is spread by having sex with an infected partner. The virus can

enter the body through the lining of the vagina, vulva, penis, rectum, or mouth

during sex.

2.

HIV frequently spreads among injection-drug users who share needles or

syringes that are contaminated with blood from an infected person.

3. Women can transmit HIV to their babies during pregnancy or birth, when

infected maternal cells enter the baby's circulatory system.

4.

HIV can be transmitted in health care centres through accidental needle sticks

or contact with contaminated fluids.

5. HIV can be transmitted through transfusion of contaminated blood or blood

components. Blood products are now tested to minimize this risk.

6. People with sexually transmitted infection like syphilis and gonorrhoea are
more likely to acquire HIV infection during sex with an infected partner

NOTE:

HIV cannot be transmitted through the following ways:

1. Closed-mouth kissing with an infected person unless there is a cut in the

mouth.

2. Hugging, touching, holding and shaking.

3. Coughing or sneezing.

4. Sharing food, cups, utensils, clothing, towels and combs.

5. Sharing toilet facilities, books, and swimming pools and bathing facilities.

6. Being bitten by insects.

7. Donating blood or blood products.

8. Sharing sporting equipment or facilities.

Signs and Symptoms of HIV/AIDS

A person is said to be HIV positive when his/her blood sample is tested and found

to contain HIV. A person who is HIV negative does not have the virus that causes

AIDS. HIV positive individuals show symptoms of the HIV infection.

Below are the main symptoms of HIV Infection:

1. Enlarged or swollen lymph nodes.

2 Rapid weight loss (wasting syndrome).

3. Frequent fever that last for several weeks and sore throat.

4. Chronic diarrhoea and loss of appetite.

5. Severe chest or abdominal pain

6. A change in mental status

7. Extreme fatigue or tiredness

8. Profuse sweating at night.

9. Skin rashes.

10. A cough that is difficult to treat.

11. Severe vaginal yeast infection in women which does not respond to treatment.

Effects of HIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDS weakens the immune system and therefore exposes one to secondary

infections like Tuberculosis

Treatment of HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS has no known cure.

> However, there are antiretroviral drugs to boost the immune system. The

drugs slow down the rate at which the virus multiplies.

Prevention of HIV/AIDS

There is no effective vaccine against HIV.

The only way to prevent infection by the virus is to avoid behaviours that put

one at risk, such as sharing needles or having unprotected sex.

In this context, unprotected sex means sex without a barrier such as a

condom. Because condoms can break, they are not perfect protection.

> Many people infected with HIV do not show symptoms. Therefore, there is no

way for one to know with certainty whether his/her sexual partner is infected.

Some Preventive Strategies against HIV/AIDS

1. One should abstain from sex especially when not married.

2. Those who want to engage in sexual activity should do so with a single partner

who is tested not to be infected with the virus. Mutual monogamy between

uninfected partners eliminates the risk of sexual transmission of HIV.

3. Those who are sexually active should engage in protected sex by using a

condom. Condoms offer some protection if used properly and consistently.

Occasionally, they may break or leak. Only condoms made of latex should be

used.

4. People should not share needles or inject illicit drugs

5. Health workers or professionals should follow recommended guidelines for

protecting themselves against needle sticks and exposure to contaminated

fluids.

6. The risk of HIV transmission from a pregnant woman to her baby is

significantly reduced if the mother takes medications during pregnancy, labour, and delivery and her
baby takes medications for the first six weeks of

life.

Safety precautions for health care providers and people who cater for HIV

Patients

1. Wear protective latex gloves when handling blood, fluids and tissues of the

HIV patients.

2.

Do not wear protective gloves more than once.

3. Wash hands with soap and adequate water after you have removed your

gloves.

4. Wear protective goggles (spectacles) to prevent splashes of blood, fluids and

mucous from entering the eyes.

5. Wear face mask when giving first aid for breathing.

6. Cover any cut, blisters, scraps and rash before attending to HIV/AIDS patients.

7. Do not eat or drink when giving first aid to HIV/AIDS patients.

8. Wear protective clothing before handling HIV/AIDS patients.

9. Wash off immediately after handling contaminated blood, fluids and blood

products.

10. Dispose of used sharp objects like blades, syringes, and needles properly and

immediately.

TEN (10) REASONS WHY WE MUST AVOID STDS

1. To lead a healthy and productive life

2. To keep the body healthy for future partner and children

3. To keep the body free of the dangerous symptoms and damaging effects of

STDs

4. To prevent one from being embarrassed by society.

5 To avoid harming the reproductive organs for now and the future.

6. To prevent medical cost implications.

7. To earn respect from the family and the community.

8. To enjoy stress free, satisfactory and healthy sexual relation with future partner

9. To remain fertile and productive in future.

10. To prevent new born babies from being infected.

TEENAGE PREGNANCY

Teenage pregnancy is a pregnancy occurring in a young girl who is below 18 years

of age regardless of whether she is married or not.

CAUSES OF TEENAGE PREGNANCY

1. Peer influence: Most affected teenagers take wrong advice from their peers or

people they play with. Such individuals may not have information about sexuality.

As a result, they are easily influenced by their peers to engage in pre-marital sex

which results in unplanned pregnancies.

2. Broken homes: A broken home occurs when there is a break in marriage. Both

parents end up staying at different places. The children especially the girls are left

on their own to look after themselves. Such girls are easily influenced by men to

engage in sex. Unprotected sex results in unplanned pregnancies and teenager

motherhood.

3. Irresponsible adult behaviour: Some adult men are so irresponsible that they

influence teenage girls with gifts, money and presents to lure them into sex. Most

of these irresponsible adults even rape or defile their victims and this leads to

teenage pregnancies.

4. Ignorance on sex: The lack of sex education makes many teenagers vulnerable

to pre-marital sex that can lead to pregnancy. Parents and the educational system

do not provide sufficient sex education that makes the child well informed to withstand all forms of
pressure from their peers and irresponsible adults. This high

level of ignorance among teenagers contributes greatly to teenage pregnancy in

the country.

5. Easy access to pornographic materials: Many teenagers readily get easy

access to pictures and information on sex on the Internet and other sources. This
corrupts their mind to the extent that they readily give in to sex without protecting

themselves.

6. Poverty: The high level of poverty in the country especially in the rural areas

pushes many teenagers into the cities to engage in some form of sex trade. They

easily exchange sex for food and other favours. In effect, some of them sleep with

multiple partners thereby risking teenage pregnancy or STDs.

EFFECTS OF TEENAGE PREGNANCY

1. High school dropout rate: Many teenage pregnant girls easily drop out of school.

They are not able to continue their education because of the stigma attached to

their pregnancies.

2. Health problems: A teenage mother may have medical complications during

pregnancy and delivery. The immature nature of their reproductive system makes

it impossible for them to have normal deliveries. Some even lose their lives during

deliveries due to the complications.

3. Prostitution: Many teenage mothers end up in prostitution to make ends meet.

Since they do not have any skill or education, they 'sell' their bodies in order to

make money to feed themselves and their children. Child prostitution is common

in most parts of the cities and towns in Ghana.

4. A lot of children are abandoned: Some teenage mothers leave their children on

the street because they cannot look after them. This has contributed to the growing

number of children in orphanages.

5. Social misfit: Most of the children born to teenagers do not get the best of life.

They lack education, skills and training. Many of them end up as social misfits.

They engage in all sorts of criminal activities.

SOLUTIONS TO TEENAGE PREGNANCY

Teenage pregnancy can be prevented or reduced in society through the following

means:

1. Sex education: Parents, schools, churches and mosques and other stake

holders must intensify sex education among their teens and youth. This will
provide them with the needed information to resist attempt by their peers to

influence them negatively.

2. Proper parenthood skills: Parents should be responsible in their children

upbringing. A well informed parent will help their children to meet their basic

needs.

3. Control of exposure of pornographic materials: Laws should be made to

control access to pornographic materials by the youth. This will help sustain their

high sense of morality. Internet Service Providers must ensure that teenagers do

not access pornographic websites. The police and other security agencies must

monitor and arrest firms and individuals who supply pornographic materials into

the country. Such people must be arrested and punished severely to serve as a

deterrent to others.

4. Assertiveness skills: Teenagers should be taught assertive skills to resist

attempts by their peers to engage in pre-marital sex. These skills will allow them

to stand against all negative influences. They should be bold to say "No" to their

peers and irresponsible men who will want to have sex with them.

5. Stiffer punishments: The courts must give stiffer punishments to those who rape

teenagers when they are caught. They should be made to bear full responsibility

of their action by looking after their children and the teenage mothers.

LIKELY BECE ESSAY QUESTIONS

1. (a) What is immorality?

(b) State three causes and two effects of immorality

(c) State five ways of living a good moral life

2. (a)

(b)

What is morality?

State five benefits of living a good moral life

BECE 2003

(a) Describe any four ways of living a good moral life

(b) What are the benefits of living this type of life?

BECE 2008

(a) Identify four causes of immoral behaviour among the youth

(b) Mention four effects of indulging in immoral behaviour.