INDECENT DRESSING AMONG UNDERGRADUATES: A CASE STUDY OF THE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, EKIADOLOR, EDO STATE
ABSTRACT:
Indecent dressing like other social vices has eaten deep into the lives of the youths, especially those in the higher institutions. These youths are front liners in showing off new trends not minding its standard of decency relative to moral and societal values. This situation led to the research on the reasons, effects, societal perception and possible solutions to indecent dressing in the College Of Education, Ekiadolor, Edo state with the departments of economics/political science and economics/ social studies being case studies. Some of the underlying factors of indecent dressing are, students like the feeling of security and belonging that comes with wearing similar clothing hence turn a blind eye to the indecency surrounding certain cloth choices. With the world becoming a digital village, students are being influenced by wrong information on the internet be it in form of videos, pictures, articles,etc. The society influences thechoice of dressing directly or indirectly as the younger generation interact with their environment on a daily basis. The method for data collection was the use of structured and unstructured questionnaires. It contained two sections, the first is the social demographic characteristics of respondents and the second section examined indecent dressing among undergraduates and analyzed same using the simple percentage for easy computation. From the results gotten, the respondents were of the view that indecent dressing could be curbed by orienting the students on its dangers. This study concluded with the discussion and implications of findings and its recommendations.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Content Page
Title page - - - - - - - - - - i
Approval - - - - - - - - - - ii
Dedication - - - - - - - - - - iii
Acknowledgement - - - - - - - - - iv
Abstract - - - - - - - - - - v
CHAPTER ONE.............................................................................................................................1
1.1 INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................................1
1.2 Statement Of Problem...............................................................................................................3
1.3 Objective Of The Study............................................................................................................5
1.4 Significance Of The Study........................................................................................................5
1.5 Scope Of The Study..................................................................................................................5
1.6 Research Questions...................................................................................................................6
CHAPTER TWO.............................................................................................................................7
LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK...............................................7
2.1 Introduction................................................................................................................................7
2.2 Theoretical Framework............................................................................................................15
2.3 Theories Of Indecent Dressing................................................................................................16
2.4 Types Of Indecent Dressing.....................................................................................................17
2.5 Effects Of Indecent Dressing...................................................................................................18
2.6 Possible Solutions To Indecent Dressing.................................................................................19
CHAPTER THREE.......................................................................................................................22
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY..................................................................................................22
3.1 Research Design......................................................................................................................22
3.2 Population Of The Study.........................................................................................................22
3.3 Sample Size.............................................................................................................................22
3.4 Sampling Technique...............................................................................................................22
3.5 Method Of Data Collection..................................................................................................23
3.6 Method Of Data Analysis......................................................................................................23
3.7 Research Intrument................................................................................................................23
3.8 Validity And Reliability........................................................................................................23
CHAPTER FOUR.......................................................................................................................24
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS.............................................................................24
4.0 Introduction............................................................................................................................24
4.1 Data On Socio-Demographic Characteristics.........................................................................24
4.2 Section B: Indecent Dressing Among Under Graduates; A Case Study Of The College Of Education Ekiadolor...............................................................................................................27
CHAPTER FIVE...........................................................................................................................33
5.1 SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS..............................................33
5.2 Discussion Of Findings............................................................................................................33
5.3 Implications Of Findings.........................................................................................................34
5.4 Conclusion...............................................................................................................................34
5.5 Recommendations...................................................................................................................34
Definition Of Terms......................................................................................................................36
References.....................................................................................................................................37
LIST OF TABLES
4.1.1 Sex Of Respondents..............................................................................................24
4.1.2 Age OfRespondents.............................................................................................25
4.1.3 Marital Status Of Respondents..............................................................................25
4.1.4 Religious AffiliationOf Respondents....................................................................26
4.1.5 Level Of Education Of Respondents.....................................................................26
4.2.1 The Meaning Of Indecent Dressing......................................................................28
4.2.3 What Is The Origin Of Indecent Dressing.............................................................28
4.2.4 Reasons Why Some Students Dress Indecently?....................................................29
4.2.5 Is Indecent Dressing A Common Phenomenon In Your School?............................29
4.2.6 Does Indecent Dressing Give One A High Esteem?...............................................30
4.2.7 What Do You Think Are The Effects Of Indecent Dressing?.................................30
4.2.8 D0 You Think Indecent Dressing Is Trendy?........................................................31
4.2.9 Does Indecent Dressing Make One Look Irresponsible?.........................................31
4.2.10 Do Think There Are Solutions To Indecent Dressing?.........................................32
CHAPTER ONE
1.1 INTRODUCTION
Dressing is an act of body coverage and it also speaks of the culture of some group of persons. This phenomenon is a global reality that has a long history.According to the biblical act of creation, from the Adamic perception of coveringman;s nakedness to the visible act of modern nudity is a long time. Dress or clothing is a kind of garment worn by people of all cultures since pre-historic times. Different peoples of the world have their unique dress culture. The materials used for making dresses range from cotton, wool, silk fabric to flax fabric and rubber. Dresses that people in all cultures wear are determined by a number of factors. The main factor that has determined, and is still determining, the variety of clothes in different times and locations, is climate (Braun, 2005). In Nigeria for instance, we have the rainy season and the dry season, with their characteristic cold and hot temperature. Dress culture therefore has to bow to the prevailing weather conditions (Olaoye 2013).
However, indecency of dressing would mean a different concept in the act of clothing or putting on dress. According to Gbadegbe and Quashie (2013), indecent dressing is the improper and provocative way of dressing relative to the society or culture in which it is being perpetrated. This is to say that indecent dressing cannot be properly defined in isolation of the societal norms or religious boundaries, Educational institutions of learning in Nigeria have been bedeviled with indecent dressing particularly by female students. Most girls go bare, display their navels and breasts and wear whatever they deem comfortable inorder to display the size and shape of their supposed private parts. It appears now that to be fashionable, one has to become half nude, dressed in sleeveless/see-through tops without bra. According to Irtwange (2004), this constitutes weapons of mass distraction (WMD) and sexual harassment. This seductive dressing has profound negative effect on both the students and the lecturers alike as they can hardly concentrate in their academic work under such an environment
The causes of immoral dressing range from failure of the family to instill strict moral values on their children from tender ages; peer group pressure cajoling upright students to go astray, to watching too many movies that portray American and European culture as superior and the in-thing. There must be a moderate position that allows the students to dress in a certain way that would meet societal value. The higher institutions of learning have been fighting against other social vices such as cultism, examination malpractice and drug abuse but the issue of obscene dressing is only recently receiving attention. Some professions have dress codes such as law, medicine; accountancy, hospitality management, etc which other professions can follow suit. Gladly, a general dress code is been introduced in different higher institutions of learning. Lecturers should instill strict discipline on students who engage in dressing immorally. Parents also have a big role to play in curbing this menace through appropriate upbringing and counseling by guiding our young girls against indecent dressing to minimize the temptation of randy and sometimes insane men raping them.
The issue of dress pattern of learners in our institutions of higher learning has become a worrisome concern of national scope (Ayatse, 2004;). This worrisome concern, especially in respect of lady learners, is generally referred to as “nudity” or indecent dressing. In the name of being free and enlightened, they put on scanty, tight-fitting dresses which are regarded by many as exotic, sexually provocative and questioning the quality of their characters or, at best, subject it to controversy among sincere and right thinking members of the society. For example, Sowemimo, (2002:39) says:
“You would agree with me that there is high rate of moral decadence in the society – you only need to go to our Universities and look at what our girls are wearing all in the name of fashion. Clothes they wear have nothing to be imagined. I am happy that some University authorities want to take keener interest in the mode of dressing on campus, especially among female students”
Also Isaacson (2000) observed that the “provocative mode of dressing of female students on campus have led to violence, theft, gang activities and the like on campus” This “provocative mode of dressing” got to a level that Oladipupo (2004) referred to it as “the insanity manifested in the mode of dressing of ladies on campuses”. In fact, several music artists (such as WasiuAyinde, 2004; Toba Opaleye 2004) have made the issue, a main subject in their albums, castigating the parents, lecturers and governments.
Conclusively it can be said that indecent dressing entails the provocative way of dressing which affects the societal perception towards the individuals and also it has its root in the socialization of the individual which also affects the mode and pattern of interaction between the individual and the society. However indecent dressing can be seen as a menace as it has affected the educational institution in negative ways which need adequate attention.
1.2 Statement of the problem
This behaviour is of a multifaceted headed origin. It is not just a behaviour that developed overnight, but an accumulated behavioural pattern that could be attributed to the home due to neglect and/poor parenting. The effects of globalization arising from wrong values of exportation and importation, reflection of the high rate of moral decadence in the large society (corruption and the likes),peer pressure and the desire to belong as well as fading values and demonic influence all contribute to the act of indecent dressing.
This unethical and un-African dress pattern among the youths of this generation has generated lots of concern and worry among the citizenry of the country. In the college of educationEkiadiolor, where this study was focused, rules were made that any dress worn must cover the intimate parts of the body such as the breasts, stomach, chests, navel, and so on, but on this very campus, students still dress indecently. In this vein, one wonders what becomes of the society tomorrow with the caliber of students that are being trained today. If rules are made for people, they are supposed to be adequately informed as to why such rules are made.
Indecent dressing has become a burning concern in our country today, no matter how well we try to link it with civilization, indecent dressing has no place in the African culture. The African culture places so much prestige on the African woman. Whether in the western or African society, indecent dressing is the major cause of the various assaults and sexual harassments recorded in the society overtime. There is a strong belief among some people that a large number of rape victims were victims of their mode of dressing. As a result of this civilization ladies dress half naked to schools, religious gatherings, events all in the name of fashion. This social malady has made our male counterparts sexually restive.
To the society, this menace is gradually becoming a norm and the etiquette that African society is known for is gradually becoming a thing of the past. African culture is being eroded by indecent dressing. Culturally, you know a country is advancing when the citizens honor their own culture but the reverse is the case in our society today. The negative consequences of indecent dressing have also been identified to include rape, prostitution, HIV/AIDS, venereal diseases, infection and poor academic performance.
1.3Objectivesof the study
The objective of this study is to examine;
i. What indecent dressing means.
ii. The reasons why some students dress indecently.
iii. The effects of indecent dressing among undergraduates.
iv. The societal perception of indecent dressing among undergraduates.
v. The possible solutions to indecent dressing among undergraduates.
1.4Significance of the study
The emergence of the problem led to the need for research and this is why all research studies are often directed towards solving problems and arriving at an established solution. The study, definitely plays a vital role towards the advancement of the educational system as well as that of the human society since it exposes then how, why and what next to the question being studied.
The study seeks to examine indecent dressing among undergraduates, tounderstand why students engage in indecent dressing and also to correct the notion of indecent dressing by proffering solutions to the problem among undergraduates.
Lastly the study as one of the intellectual research has both theoretical and practical significance. Theoretically it would add to the already existing knowledge and literature on the present study and also practically , the findings can be used to improve and proffer solutions to the problem of this study.
1.5Scope of the study
This research work is an empirical study on indecent dressing among undergraduates using students of College of Education, Ekiadolor. It seeks to know the extent of indecent dressing, the role of indecent dressing and the impact of indecent dressing among College of Education, Ekiadolor students.
1.6 Research questions
i. What is indecent dressing?
ii. What are the reasons for indecent dressing among undergraduates?
iii. What are the effects of indecent dressing among undergraduates?
iv. How do undergraduates view indecent dressing in a societal way?
v. What are the possible solutions to indecent dressing?
.