Teenage prostitution--child abuse: a survey of the Ilorin situation

In the light of civilization that has come to erode some of the sexual constraints in the traditional African society's opennes today toward sexuality and sexual expression, adolescents commence sexual activity at an increasing earlier age and the average marriage come much later. It is therefore not surprising that an increasing proportion of adolescents in Nigeria are engaging in teenage prostitution. This study is an attempt to conduct a general survey into the nature of teenage prostitution in Nigeria and to provide information on the prevalence, factors, trends and characteristics of teenage prostitution. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 150 known teenage prostitutes. Among other things the finding suggest that childhood sexual abuse perhaps leads to prostitution. Half of the sample used in the study had their first sexual experience early in life, and about the same number lived with their parents when they began prostituting. Implications of the findings were discussed and suggestions made for further research.