Many are ignorant of the many dangers of
“campus marriage” common among students
in Nigeria’s higher institutions. So many a
destiny have been cut in their prime due to
what has gradually assumed a culture among
undergraduates.
In campus parlance, campus marriage is
simply an immoral cohabitation involving two
individuals of the opposite sex living together
usually under the same abode, sharing
everything in common. They eat and
sometimes study together in classes and even
have intimate relationship without being
legally pronounced married.
This illicit act had overtimes increased the
high rate of immorality particularly on campus
among Nigerian students in tertiary
institutions which never always lead to legal
marriage. It has always ended at right at the
school gate.
Apparently, majority of culprits have no
tangible reasons for engaging in this immoral
act. Although, having interviewed many
especially the female students, they said it’s a
smart way to deal with the challenge of lack
of accommodation. Some have argued that
they chose to be close to each other for better
intimacy whereas for others, the reasons are
clearly bogus.
Interestingly, some categorically said their
reason for cohabitation is hinged on meeting
selfish emotional needs. For this category of
students, cohabitation is a sure-fire way to
experience the complete pleasure and
excitement of living together.
Irrespective of how far they go in validating
their practice, one cannot deny the fact that it
portends more harm than good for the couple.
Checks have shown that those involved in the
act have had to battle with the demands of
academics, sometimes resulting in untold
failure. Cases of unwanted pregnancies are
also rife, further fuelling the lack of
concentration common among many students
today.
There are even far more menacing dangers.
There is the story of a married female student
in one of the Nigeria’s higher institutions,
who had extra-marital affair with a student.
One day, the husband visited unannounced
only to catch both love birds in the act. This
prompted the husband to stab the lady to
death. There are many other gory narratives
of this shade.
As seen in the lives of most practitioners,
campus marriage affects a student’s academic
performance which often leads to eventual
withdrawal when such students can no longer
meet the standards set by the school.
Expectedly, female students are the worst hit
due to the possibility of unwanted pregnancy.
Cases abound of not only how this has stunted
the career growth of many females, but also
the associated risk of death when abortion
becomes the last resort to save their faces.
Again, this act is considered illegal by law and
immoral by both Christians and Muslim
faithfuls. Marriage is said to be a legal union
between two individuals of opposite sex – a
man and a woman – recognised and
authenticated by any formal institution, be it
the Church, Mosque or law courts.
It is plainly foolhardy to put up with a man
who has not paid the bride price, much less
solemnise a relationship. Female students who
still fall into this ditch deserve to be blamed
for the calamity that stands in their way.
However, it is better that students desist from
engaging in cohabitation of this manner. It’s a
trap that has shattered the dreams and
aspirations of many young people. It never
guarantees a successful marriage either.
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