AN ETHICAL EVALUATION OF VIRGINITY ON MARRIAGE AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT IN ELELE-ALIMINI

Abstract

Virginity among the Elele-Alimini people is held in high esteem because of the honour it gives to the individual and the family at large. However, parents find it difficult to properly educate their children on sex related issues. Thus, virginity is seen as a thing of the past as youths give out their virginity as evidence of love to their lovers. This research work adopted cultural perspective theory propounded by Mary Douglas. Using the cultural perspective theory, the research discovered that several cultural practices have been relegated, thereby making the cultural values lose its importance. Qualitative method was used to elucidate the subject matter. The research found that virginity in the present time is not valid and has become obsolete in marriages due to modernity and social development by way of exposure to western culture and way of life. The research concluded that virginity has been highly trivialized and no longer seen as a virtue. Thus, the paper recommended the enhancement of religious and moral teachings, sex ethics, and human dignity to the younger generation. This will help to preserve the culture and tradition of female and male virginity in the contemporary Elele-Alimini.