UCC study highlights alarming incidence of cohabitation and its impact on student life
A recent study by the University of Cape Coast (UCC) has uncovered a significant and increasing trend of cohabitation among university students residing in private hostels.
Cohabitation, defined as living together and engaging in a sexual relationship without being married, has become more prevalent due to the greater freedom students experience in private hostels compared to traditional university halls, which have established control mechanisms.
The study, led by Professor Georgina Yaa Oduro, Head of the Sociology and Anthropology Department at UCC, found that while some students cohabit for economic reasons, pooling resources to rent space, the majority view the practice negatively. However, a smaller group sees it as normal, fun, and even beneficial.
The research, which also extended to surrounding communities, revealed that cohabitation is a significant contributor to teenage pregnancies and child marriages. The findings were presented by Prof. Oduro during a workshop aimed at ending child marriage and gender-based violence, organized by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.
Prof. Oduro highlighted that students in traditional university halls are subject to oversight from hall masters, tutors, and hall councils, which helps regulate their behavior. In contrast, students in private hostels enjoy much greater freedom, leading to a range of issues, including gender-based violence, forced sex, abortions, and frequent quarrels.
These relationships often impose additional burdens on female students, who struggle to balance academic responsibilities with domestic chores, negatively impacting their studies.
The study also reported a tragic incident where a 22-year-old UCC student committed suicide following a dispute with his cohabiting partner.
Prof. Oduro expressed concern that many of these relationships end after graduation and urged stakeholders, including parents, lecturers, and religious leaders, to address the issue. She also raised alarm over the rampant misuse of emergency contraceptives among young women, cautioning against the health risks associated with frequent use.
The findings underscore the need for increased awareness and intervention to address the growing problem of cohabitation and its associated challenges among university students.
