CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Adolescents foconstitute almost one-fourth of sub-Saharan Africa's population and face issues with sexual and reproductive health not seen elsewhere in the world (Folayan et al, 2019). For instance, adolescents in the region are often exposed to unprotected sex, leading to unwanted or mistimed pregnancy, unsafe abortion, and associated complications as well as unwanted childbirth. Other sexual and reproductive health problems faced by adolescents in the region include risks of STIs (including HIV) and maternal death, National HIV/AIDS In many aspects of the life of a person, adolescence is a period of transition. It is also a time for people to make important decisions about their loyalty to scholars, families, and likely sexual behavior. Adolescence marks the beginning of sexual activity and experimentation for many teenagers. While this is a natural transition, sexual activity can serve as a risk factor for several problematic behaviors during adolescence. Perhaps most obviously, Intervention Health Integrated can have immediate health effects, such as sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy.
Young people undergo a large range of changes in their physical, mental, and social maturity during adolescence. Outside factors There are external factors such as the mass media that assert a significant level of influence on their thought and behavior during this time. According to Jekayinfa (2014), the media have proved to have a profound impact on teenagers which could have a positive and or negative implication on the society accepted way(s) of life. For one, the media is a strong instrument which can shape cultural values. Olarinmoye, Olarinmoye, Wasiu, and Omisore ( 2014), posit that mass media influence can result in many unintended consequences such as; domestic abuse, psychiatric disorders, juvenile delinquencies and many more, if not used positively.
Television (generally referred to as 'TV’) is considered to be one of the most influential medium of mass communication because of its audio-visual characteristic which makes it more captivating and engaging for its audience. Reality TV shows have evidently become a genry of programming that is quite popular among the youth. Big Brother Africa (BBA)
is one of the reality TV shows that has recently identified young people on the African continent (Jude and Anthony, 2019).
A reality show that seeks to unite Nigerians is the Big Brother Africa (BBA) show. It brings people from various regions of Nigeria together to connect and live under the same roof (furnished with a lot of colonial-era designer objects' and showing' Italian, Moroccan and Zanzibari influences ') to demonstrate their true character and tolerance. The program is a game of choice in which viewers choose the person with the most preferred character (Nwafor and Onyekachi, 2015).
The level of excitement or the effect on television culture that Big Brother Africa had in Africa was not even induced by sports such as the World Cup and Olympics. Several reactions, from joy to no-holds-barred opprobrium, were elicited by Big Brother Africa across the continent. The content (nudity) of many of these responses was so striking (Wilfred, 2018; Wilfred et al., 2019).
According to the official website of the series, the aim of Big Brother Africa was to build a space in the house "reflecting the whole spirit of Africa without drawing any prejudice against a specific country (Sammy and Hellen, 2014).
Most of their time, contestants spent feeding, fighting, playing in a conveniently placed bathtub, and hamming it up for the camera doing ordinary things. The series managed to draw enormous viewers during its run, averaging 30 million: a feat for the African continent (Ayangunna 2017). One response drew attention which caused a rally against the show by groups unhappy with the effects of post-industrial globalization on Africa and her people. This opposition often reflected genuine unease with changes afoot in the social order. ‘Invented traditions’ were invoked to damn the show as somehow ‘un-African’ (Olarinmoye, Olarinmoye, Adebimpe & Omisore, 2014).
The US news magazine Times, hailed BBA which it referred to as “an avatar of continental unity”. Also, the Johannesburg correspondent of the US newspaper, The Christian Science Monitor, praised the series, echoing common feelings: on a continent frequently divided by ethnic strife, nationalism, and xenophobia, BBA is an unexpected catalyst for cultural understanding (Nwafor and Onyekachi, 2015).
The series particularly, but not exclusively, in those countries where it was broadcast, has had profound impacts and effects on the African continent and its citizens. In discussions of cultural phenomena, they shed light on a variety of nuanced topics all too frequently set aside or entirely overlooked. Due to some other variables such as family, social group, and peer group (Odejobi, 2014).
The impact of these interventions on adolescents might not be immediate or outright successful (Amadi et al., 2019). The effect, however may be deceptive and lead adolescents to develop false values and negative social and sexual behavior. Viewers often saw a rejection of existing modes of order in the actions of the housemates; this was the case especially, when the home-bound contestants challenged the authority of Big Brother,' greatly amusing many viewers in Africa who have experienced authoritarianism all too well' (Ayangunna, 2017. The voyeurism of the series was denounced and in the process, notions of 'privacy' generally associated with.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
One of most interesting and exciting inventions of modern technology is the invention of home video. There is hardly any home today without a television. Unfortunately, people are carried away by the pleasure of Big Brother Africa (BBA) show on television without cross examining the impact on our lives especially with reference to youths. Big Brother Africa (BBA) show was aired for the first time in 2007. However, the deed had been done and its effect on viewers is not reversible. Prior to the advent of modern technology and science advancement, life was simple and less demanding even though primitive. Men and women engage themselves in activities that could occupy their time and still give them time to rest. Children at era were more responsible since they had little or no source of distraction other than going for moonlight tales. With the emergency of technology and some sorts of electrical facilities or devices standard of living were greatly changed and improved.
It is evident that with ample television stations at the adolescents finger tips young people spend more time watching BBA reality show. The more they expose themselves to BBA show with reference to the amount of time some of them put into watching it, the greater the chance for them to develop a world view and a perception of reality similar to what they watch over time on BBA reality show.
Therefore, this study attempts to investigate the perception and influence of sexually provocative content on BBA (Naija) reality TV show on adolescents’ behavior.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The main objective of this study is to determine the perception and influence of sexually provocative contents of Big Brother Naija Reality TV show on adolescent behavior in Lagos state. The specific objectives are to:
- To understand the perception of adolescents’ on sexually provocative contents of Big Brother Africa (Naija) reality TV show in some selected Lekki residence in Lagos state.
- To examine the influence of sexually provocative contents of Big Brother Africa (Naija) reality TV show on sexual behavior of adolescents’ in Lekki residence in Lagos state.
- To assess the influence of sexually provocative contents of Big Brother Africa (Naija) reality TV show on social behavior of adolescents’ in Lekki residence in Lagos state.
1.4 Research Questions
- What is the perception of adolescents’ on sexually provocative contents of Big Brother Africa (Naija) reality TV show in some selected Lekki residence in Lagos state?
- What is the influence of sexually provocative contents of Big Brother Africa (Naija) reality TV show on sexual behavior of adolescents’ in Lekki residence in Lagos state?
- What is the influence of sexually provocative contents of Big Brother Africa (Naija) reality TV show on social behavior of adolescents’ in Lekki residence in Lagos state?
1.5 Significant of the Study
This study will be of benefit to the television media practioners and owners will be mindful of the kind of entertainment programmes they air, most especially at prime time, knowing fully the vulnerable and gullible nature of teenagers.
This study will not only aim at contributing to knowledege but also providing a foundational basis for further studies into the socialization role of BBA Naija reality show.
This study will be of benefit to the parents and guardians to understand the positive and negative roles BBA Naija reality show plays in contributing to shaping adolescents social and sexual behaviour in their immediate enviroment.
This study will also be of benefit to the counsellors for viable information on where and how adolescents draw inferences for their social and sexual behaviours. This is because adolescents might not only behave in a certain manner because of mere peer influence, but also from what they watch on BBA Naija show, especially from celebrities they see as role models.
It is also believed that the findings of this study will be an added resource to available literature and will be used to promote informed decision-making and policies by the regulating bodies of the broadcast and entertainment industry.
1.6 Scope of the Study
This study focuses on the perception and influence of sexually provocative content of Big Brother Africa (Naija) Reality TV show on Adolescent Behavior in Lagos State. The study will focus on students who are in senior secondary schools in Lagos state.
1.7 Operational Definition of Terms
- BBA (Naija) series: This is the motion pictures produced by the BBA Naija reality show actors for entertainment at home and in cinema. This is incomplete
- Perception: In this study, this means the ability for Adolescents to hear, see, or become aware of the sexual contents of BBA Naija and the way it is understood or interpreted.
- Influence: This is the capacity of the BBA Naija reality show to change the perception, action, mode of dressing and communication among the secondary school students.
Adolescents: This includes senior secondary school students whose age range between 15-19 years of age
Sexual Scene: This is the action and activities conducted in the BBA Naija reality show that are exclusively sexual contents for entertainment only but misconstrued by the senior secondary school students as a way of civilization.
Behavioral Patterns: In this study, this means a recurrent way of acting by students at secondary school toward their academic performance because of watching BBA Naija reality show.
Academic Performance: In this study, this means the measurement aggregate score of students’ achievements in school across various academic subjects.
BBN: Big Brother Naija, formerly known as Big Brother Nigeria, is a Nigerian reality competition television series, based on the Big Brother television franchise, in which 12 to 26 contestants live in an isolated house and compete for a large cash prize worth 85,000,000 Nigerian Naira, and other material gifts, at the end of the show by avoiding being evicted from the house by viewers who vote for their favorite housemates to remain in the show.
Sexually Provocative Contents: This is an image or video that portrays nudity, this could also be contained in the body posture or facial expression of the human subject shown in the photo or video.
