INFLUENCE OF MODERN FASHION ON DRESSING PATTERN OF FEMALE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN SELECTED STATE UNIVERSITIES IN OGUN STATE

Abstract

Rape and some other deviant behavioural cases reported in Nigerian universities have sometimes been attributed to the type of clothing worn by the undergraduates. Hence, the influence of modern fashion on dressing pattern of Female Undergraduate Students (FUS) in selected state universities in Ogun State. Socio-economic characteristics, influence of modern fashion on dressing pattern of female undergraduates and constraints to decent dressing were considered. Multi-stage sampling techniques were employed. Firstly, 67% of the 3 state universities in Ogun state were randomly selected, resulting in two universities. Secondly, two Faculties/Colleges were selected randomly from Olabisi Onabanjo University and in Tai Solarin University of Education. Thirdly, two Departments were randomly selected from each Faculty/College. Lastly, 8% of the total number of students were randomly selected from the Departments. Hence, sample size of 130 FUS was obtained. Findings revealed that most (88.5%) of FUS were single. Majority (80.8%) opined that the mass media advertisement of indecently dressed actresses was a major constraint to decent dressing. Over half (59.2%) of the respondents strongly agreed that modern fashion encourages smartness in dressing. However, the undergraduates strongly agreed that modern fashion propels indecent dressing among FUS (55.4%). Nonetheless, most (83.8%) of the FUS were positively influenced by modern fashion in their dressing pattern. There was no significant difference between the influence of modern
fashion on the dressing pattern of FUS in the selected Universities (p=0.230). It was recommended that mass media should endeavour to promote decency in advertisement. Students should be oriented on what entails modesty in dressing.