SEXUALITY EDUCATION AND SOCIAL STUDIES: PERSPECTIVE, CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS IN NIGERIA

The dynamism of the subject matter, Social Studies, in recent times, has become so increasingly broadened, that it now encompasses many problems being faced by man at the centre of every issue on which Social Studies as a subject revolves. Its dynamism has made it possible to proffer solutions to various challenges being faced by man in his environment. The incidence of HIV/AIDS and other related matters as it has affected the youth, who are major culprits, calls for urgent attention in making Sexuality Education an antidote to the problem of early initiation into sexual activity and how to overcome the scourge of HIV/AIDS. This will help in no small way to bring about the development which nations of the world are yearning for, and which the youth of today (who are the leaders of tomorrow) can bring about only if they are not allowed to be wiped out by the HIV/AIDS scourge in the society. Therefore, there is a need at least to sustain the existence of homo-sapiens on the face of the earth. This paper argues that, if Sexuality Education is well harnessed through Social Studies Education, with its inbuilt concepts and principles that promote relevant concepts associated with Sexuality Education, the challenges we are facing in Nigeria as a country or in the world all-over will be a thing of the past. A healthy individual will bring about a healthy nation, who will greatly assist to bring about sustainable development in all spheres of life.