Father-Teen Talks about Sex and Teens’ Sexual Health: The Role of Direct and Indirect Communication

Abstract

Family talks about sex can protect against teens’ risky sexual behavior, but most research has focused on the role of mothers. The current study included cross-sectional survey data from 728 adolescents in the 11th and 12th grades (Mage = 17.00, SD = 0.90) in the United States. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to assess associations between teens’ direct and indirect talk, defined as less straightforward ways to communicate one’s sexual values, with fathers about sex, and teens’ sexual behaviors. There were no significant direct associations between father–teen talk about sex and teens’ sexual behavior. However, teen gender moderated associations between indirect father–teen communication and teens’ sexual behavior. The results suggest the need to assess indirect talk about sex in studies of family sexuality communication and to further investigate the role of teens’ identities in determining the influence of father–teen talk about sex on teens’ sexual behavior.

Moving from Needs Assessment to Intervention: Fathers’ Perspectives on Their Needs and Support for Talk with Teens about Sex

“…Direct talk, the most commonly described type of communication in this study, fits with prior findings on how parents (largely mothers) tend to communicate with teens about sex [ 49 ], and on how communication about sex is typically measured [ 5 ]. The percentage of fathers in this study who describe direct talk is higher than prior research [ 4 , 15 , 30 ], which likely reflects disproportionately high engagement in family communication among fathers who volunteered for this study. Fathers’ descriptions of indirect talk and role modeling as ways to communicate with teens suggest that some fathers may engage differently with teens than mothers around sexual issues.…”

“…Fathers’ descriptions of indirect talk and role modeling as ways to communicate with teens suggest that some fathers may engage differently with teens than mothers around sexual issues. A quantitative study found that more than half of teens reported indirect talk with their fathers about sex [ 30 ], an approach which may provide a way to manage discomfort in talking about sexual issues [ 50 ]. Interventions geared toward fathers may benefit from addressing multiple ways that fathers approach communication with their teens.…”

“…Community-based approaches, such as developing a barber-led sex education program to support Black male teens and their fathers, may bring new opportunities for intervention [ 28 ]. Fathers may also benefit from a focus on indirect communication, such as alluding to sexual behavior without using clear sexual language or referring to a TV show or movie as a way to bring up a sexual issue [ 29 , 30 ]. A study found that more than half of fathers talked in indirect ways with their teens about sex and this indirect talk was associated with teens’ sexual behavior [ 30 ].…”

“…Fathers may also benefit from a focus on indirect communication, such as alluding to sexual behavior without using clear sexual language or referring to a TV show or movie as a way to bring up a sexual issue [ 29 , 30 ]. A study found that more than half of fathers talked in indirect ways with their teens about sex and this indirect talk was associated with teens’ sexual behavior [ 30 ]. Fathers’ perspectives on what roles they want to play in talk with teens about sex and what interferes with these conversations can help shape father-focused interventions to support teens’ health.…”

Educação sexual: avaliação do conhecimento de adolescentes de uma escola do Vale do Jequitinhonha - MG

“…Dados do Pré-Teste (2022). As consequências da ausência de comunicação sobre sexualidade em casa são os comportamentos sexuais de risco assumidos pelos adolescentes, como início precoce da atividade sexual e relações desprotegidas, predispondo-os a contraírem IST's e/ou uma gravidez indesejada (GROSSMAN et al, 2021). Outro desdobramento é a busca de informações por parte dos adolescentes, por conta própria, que geralmente é feita em fontes inapropriadas, contribuindo para que muitas irrealidades sejam tomadas como verdades, o que impossibilita a prática segura da sexualidade.…”