Relationship between Exposure to Mass Media and Adolescent Students’ Irresponsible Sexual Behavior in Secondary Schools

Abstract

Problem behaviours among secondary school going population world over are of concern to educators, counselors and psychologists and stakeholders. It is a multifaceted and a complex school problem that is manifested in various forms. Problem behavior is of concern because of its potential at the adolescent stage to undermine the achievement of both personal and national developmental goals. It emerges from the several studies that problem behaviors commonly occur in secondary schools. Considering the possible consequences of these behaviors on educational outcomes and socio- economic development of the individual adolescents, it is crucial to have an understanding of the specific occurrence of these behaviors among students in public secondary schools. Although the effects of problem behaviors are apparent as shown by its occurrence, the causes behind it are often abstract and obscure, making it difficult to pin blame on a single source. According to the literature that is available from other countries, mass media is responsible for students’ problem behaviors. It is not clear if this factor has any influence on adolescent problem behavior in Kenya. This current study therefore investigated the relationship between exposure to mass media and students’ problem behavior (irresponsible sexual behavior) in secondary schools in Bungoma Central Sub- County in Kenya. Many studies have been conducted on the influence of parental factors, peer influence, community influence on adolescents’ problem behavior. Influence of exposure to mass media has not been given adequate attention in the academic area. The researcher in the present study filled this gap in knowledge