Physical & Health Education · Lesson 10

Family life, adolescence, sexuality education, rights and family planning

JAMBWAECNECO

What the syllabus asks

JAMB: definition, types, characteristics of a happy family; human sexuality education: meaning, importance, reproductive health rights; family planning: definition, importance, methods – condom, pills, intrauterine device, abstinence; challenges of families in Nigeria – premarital sex, extramarital sex, widowhood; agencies promoting healthy family living)

WAEC: family life education

NECO: family life education

What you will learn

Define the family and describe its types.
State the functions of the family and characteristics of a happy family.
Explain the meaning and importance of human sexuality education.
Describe the physical and emotional changes of puberty.
Explain healthy relationships, peer pressure, consent and decision-making.
State reproductive health rights and relevant Nigerian laws.
Define family planning and state its importance.
Compare family planning methods with advantages and disadvantages.
Discuss challenges facing Nigerian families and agencies that promote healthy family living.

Key points

Family types: nuclear (monogamous, polygamous, single-parent, adoptive) and extended.
Family functions and roles of members.
Characteristics of a happy family; factors weakening family life.
Sexuality education: meaning, importance, values.
Puberty changes in girls and boys; menstrual cycle; healthy habits.
Healthy relationships; peer pressure and refusal skills; consent; decision-making.
Abstinence: 100% effective when consistent; recommended for students.
Reproductive rights (ICPD 1994); Child Rights Act 2003; VAPP Act 2015.
Family planning: meaning and importance; at least 24 months between births.
Methods with advantages/disadvantages; only condoms prevent STIs.
Challenges: teenage pregnancy, extramarital sex, widowhood practices, child marriage, GBV.
Agencies: school, religious bodies, NGOs (PPFN, SFH), government (MoH, NPC, NACA, NAPTIP).

Start here: The family: definition and types

A family is a group of people related by marriage, blood (birth) or adoption who usually live together, share resources and care for one another. It is the basic unit of society: the first school, first health centre and first source of values for every child.

Types of family

Nuclear family: father, mother and their children (biological or adopted). Forms include:
- Monogamous: one husband and one wife with their children.
- Polygamous (strictly, polygynous): one husband with two or more wives and their children; recognised under customary and Islamic law in Nigeria, but not under the Marriage Act (statutory marriage), which is monogamous.
- Single-parent family: one parent raising children because of death, divorce, separation or birth outside marriage.
- Family by adoption: parents legally take a child who is not born to them as their own, with full rights and responsibilities. Legal adoption in Nigeria goes through the courts and social welfare departments.
Extended family: the nuclear family plus other relatives such as grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews and nieces, often living in the same compound or close by and sharing responsibilities. Traditional Nigerian society is built on the extended family, which provides support in sickness, old age and hardship, though it may bring pressures and conflicts too.

Nuclear vs extended family

Nuclear	Extended
small, parents and children	large, many relatives
more privacy and independence	strong support network, shared care of children and elderly
common in cities	traditional, common in rural areas
fewer people to share costs and care	possible overcrowding, conflicts, dependants

Worked example 10.1 (JAMB style)

A family made up of a man, his two wives and their children is (A) monogamous (B) polygamous (C) extended (D) single-parent. Answer: B.

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Practice questions

1. WHO defines adolescents as people aged

10–19 years
13–18 years
15–24 years
5–14 years

Show answer

A: 10–19 years
WHO.

2. Girls usually begin puberty between about

15 and 20
4 and 6
18 and 21
8 and 13

Show answer

D: 8 and 13
Boys about 9–14.

3. The first menstrual period is called

ovulation
puberty
menarche
menopause

Show answer

C: menarche
Menopause is the end of periods.

4. A menstrual cycle is normally about

1 year
21–35 days (average 28)
7 days
60 days

Show answer

B: 21–35 days (average 28)
Often irregular after menarche.

5. Contraceptive implants are effective for about

3–5 years
1 month
20 years
1 week

Show answer

A: 3–5 years
Depending on the implant (WHO).

Key words

Family: People related by marriage, birth or adoption who care for one another.
Nuclear family: Parents and their children.
Extended family: Nuclear family plus other relatives.
Adoption: Legal taking of another’s child as one’s own.
Human sexuality: Physical, emotional, social and moral aspects of being male or female.
Adolescence: Transition from childhood to adulthood (10–19 years).
Puberty: Physical changes making reproduction possible.
Menarche: First menstrual period.
Ovulation: Release of an egg from the ovary.
Consent: Free, clear agreement that can be withdrawn.
Abstinence: Not having sexual intercourse.
Family planning: Deciding the number and timing of children.

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