Lesson three: Reading – No Gender is Spared – The Hidden Reality of Grooming and Cross-Generational Relationships

Cross-generational sexual relations, involving a significant age difference between partners, present complex challenges, particularly when they intersect with adolescent pregnancies and abortions. These relationships often exist within a framework of power imbalance, where the older individual typically holds more social, economic, and emotional leverage.

This power dynamic significantly impacts a young person’s ability to make informed choices about their sexual health and reproductive rights. No gender is spared from the dangers of grooming and cross-generational sexual relationships. These relationships, which involve a significant age gap between partners, often place adolescents at risk of manipulation, coercion, and severe health consequences. The power imbalance in these dynamics is evident, as older individuals hold financial, social, and emotional leverage over younger partners, making informed consent difficult.

Recent studies show that cross-generational sexual relationships are widespread in Nigeria. The PMA Abortion Survey (2020) reports that 28% of adolescent girls who had abortions were in relationships with men over 40 years old. Economic hardship, family pressures, and manipulation often lead adolescents into these situations. However, boys and young men are also vulnerable. Social norms that frame their experiences as “initiation” into adulthood often mask cases of exploitation. Many young men in relationships with older partners experience coercion but lack the social or legal support to report abuse.

The health risks of adolescent pregnancies are significant. Young bodies are not fully developed for childbirth, increasing the risk of complications such as obstructed labor, fistula, and maternal mortality. The Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS 2018) found that adolescent girls aged 15–19 make up a significant percentage of maternal deaths due to pregnancy-related complications. Power imbalances in cross-generational relationships prevent young people from negotiating safe sex, increasing exposure to sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancies. Many adolescents, fearing stigma or control by their older partners, avoid seeking medical care. For boys and young men, unplanned pregnancies can lead to financial and emotional burdens they are unprepared to handle.

Abortion remains a highly stigmatized and legally restricted issue in Nigeria, further complicating reproductive choices for adolescents in cross-generational relationships. With limited access to legal and confidential services, many young people resort to unsafe procedures. The PMA Abortion Survey (2020) found that over 60% of adolescent abortions in Nigeria are unsafe, performed by untrained providers. Boys and young men can also face coercion regarding pregnancy decisions. Some are pressured into financial dependency or legal responsibility for children they did not plan to have, highlighting the need to broaden discussions around reproductive rights and shared responsibility.

Beyond the physical risks, cross-generational relationships can have long-term psychological effects. Feelings of guilt, fear, and isolation are common, particularly in cases of coercion or exploitation. Adolescent girls may experience social stigma and rejection, while adolescent boys may struggle with premature financial or parental responsibilities. Survivors often face lasting trauma that affects their ability to form healthy relationships in the future.

Addressing these issues requires education, access to healthcare, and stronger legal protections. Adolescents must receive comprehensive sexuality education that covers healthy relationships, consent, reproductive rights, and safe sex practices. Youth-friendly health services should be confidential and non-judgmental, providing access to contraception, STI treatment, and pregnancy support. Stronger legal frameworks must be implemented to combat coercion, exploitation, and unsafe abortion practices. Parental and community engagement is crucial in challenging harmful norms that normalize power-imbalanced relationships. Economic empowerment programs can reduce dependency on exploitative relationships and provide adolescents with safer alternatives.

Cross-generational relationships, adolescent pregnancies, and unsafe abortions pose serious risks to both young men and women. The gendered dimensions of these issues are often overlooked, leaving young men who experience coercion without the necessary support. By providing education, accessible healthcare, and legal protections, we can empower adolescents to make informed choices and prevent exploitation. A holistic and inclusive approach is needed to address the root causes of these issues and create safer environments for all young people in Nigeria.