A study conducted by the University of Cape Coast (UCC) has revealed a significant and increasing trend of cohabitation among university students residing in private hostels.
Cohabitation, which involves living together and engaging in a sexual relationship without marriage, is becoming more prevalent due to the greater freedom students experience in private hostels compared to traditional university halls, where there are more stringent controls.
Some students also choose to cohabit for economic reasons, pooling their resources to afford rent. Although the majority of students surveyed viewed cohabitation negatively, a minority saw it as positive, enjoyable, and normal.
The study, which extended to surrounding communities, found that cohabitation is a major contributor to teenage pregnancy and child marriage.
Professor Georgina Yaa Oduro, Head of the Sociology and Anthropology Department at UCC, presented the findings during a workshop on ending child marriage and gender-based violence.
The workshop, organized by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, aimed to enhance the understanding of traditional council registrars on these issues.
Professor Oduro highlighted that the absence of supervision in private hostels allows students to engage in activities without restriction, unlike in university halls where rules are enforced, such as prohibiting male visitors in girls’ hostels after 10:00 PM.
She noted that cohabiting students often assume the roles of married couples, including engaging in sexual activities and sharing domestic responsibilities like cooking and cleaning.
The demands of cohabitation, particularly on young women, can interfere with their academic performance, leading to missed or delayed lectures.
Additionally, these relationships often involve gender-based violence, such as forced sex, abortions, and conflicts, which are exacerbated by the lack of structure in private living arrangements.
Professor Oduro also mentioned a tragic case where a 22-year-old UCC student committed suicide following a dispute with his cohabiting partner.
She emphasized that many cohabiting relationships end after graduation and expressed concern over the limited attention given to this issue.
She called for a collective effort from parents, educators, school authorities, and community leaders to address the problem.
Furthermore, she warned against the frequent misuse of emergency contraceptives by young women, stressing that these pills should not be used regularly.
