The Cohabitation of University Female Students in Lower Northern Region

Abstract

The objective of this research was to study the background. And the role in cohabitation of female students. The study was conducted through in-depth interview and non-participant observation on ten key-informants who were 10 female undergraduates. The data had been collected from July to September 2022, analyzed with sexuality and cohabitation conceptual frameworks. The study found that,
1. The background and decision to cohabit was based on students’ affections. Family parenting style had not effect on decision-making. They wanted to move in with their boyfriend because of their romantic feeling, want to be together with your lover for peace of mind, help each other in daily life, and preparing for examinations, they wanted to have a boyfriend just like other girls did, and economically they shared their expenses on their during the study.
2. The role in cohabitation of female students. Found that, there was a division of roles like husband and wife. They shared their expenses in daily life, by the female partners also managed all the expenses. The female students will do housework, Wash clothes, iron clothes, cook, clean and taking care of dressing, health and controlling nightlife and drinking of men. For sexual intercourse and contraception, the students perceived that cohabitation was not disapproving. On the other hand, they believed that it helped them to get to know and support each other before they become husband and wife in the future. To them, sexual encounters were commonly acceptable. The students had sexual intercourse with their partner two to three times per week on average. They prevented pregnancy by taking contraceptive pills and using condoms. In the family’s aspect, had accepted and not accepted. Some families had even organized an engagement ceremony for the couple to get social acceptance.
The research suggests that, according to the changing understanding of sexuality, families and related agencies provide sex education and safe sexual intercourse to students to prevent potential threats such as unintended or teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.