Fathers as sexuality educators: aspirations and realities. An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Abstract

Men can play a significant role in teaching their children about sexuality but fathers' practices and perceptions in this domain remain under explored. This study presents an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of eight fathers' perceptions and practices in educating their ten-year-old children about physical maturation, reproduction and relationships. A Foucauldian analysis with a focus on governmentality and biopower revealed tensions and contradictions between the fathers' aspirations and their realities, which appeared to be underpinned by the dynamic, contradictory, shifting, plural nature of fatherhood identities. Whilst fathers wished to adhere to the cultural imperative for father-child emotional closeness, a disparity between their ambitions and their conduct emerged. Care appeared to be a deeply gendered concept for the fathers and despite their aspirations for an intimate relationship with their children, gendered norms for motherhood and fatherhood prevailed resulting in passivity in their role as sexuality educators. The study concludes by arguing that challenges to structures and subcultural contexts, which may deter fathers from fully engaging with their sons and daughters in this aspect of communication are required.

Engaging parents in digital sexual and reproductive health education: evidence from the JACK trial

“…The very fact that we had difficulties recruiting fathers to the study might suggest that that gendered norms that place mothers as primary sex educators were in play. Echoing the findings from previous research [ 56 , 57 ], the one father we were able to interview, expressed views that his wife was responsible for communication with their children about sex and related his fears that speaking about sex as a father was taboo. Future research might examine the acceptability and impact of programme materials designed specifically for male caregivers, paying particular attention to effects on communication with sons and daughters.…”

“…The very fact that we had difficulties recruiting fathers to the study might suggest that that gendered norms that place mothers as primary sex educators were in play. Echoing the findings from previous research [56,57], the one father we were able to interview, expressed views that his wife was responsible for communication 1. Early, sustained, gradual intervention ⇒ It's normalising those conversations.…”

“…While there has been little research exploring fathers' roles as sex educators, it has been suggested that whilst they often aspire to be able to speak to their children about sex in order to promote father-child intimacy, they are hindered by gendered norms that place mothers in the role of primary parental sex educators for both sons and daughters [41,56]. Further, father's silence in relation to communicating has been related to fathers' constructions of 'sexuality as taboo'; perceptions that are thought to endure from their own experiences of sex education as children [57].…”

Perspectives of Indonesian parents towards school-based sexuality education

“…Similarly, as males appear to be less supportive of school-based sexuality education than females, perhaps more work is needed to empower male caregivers to provide this sort of education in the home context. The important role that male caregivers play as sexuality educators for their children should not be underestimated (Bennett, Harden, & Anstey, 2018). Advocacy efforts may also need to focus on the importance of providing school students with specific skills in communication and negotiation as it applies to their sexual health (Schneider & Hirsch, 2020), as a notable proportion of parents in this study felt such skills were not a responsibility for schools.…”

Adolescence and sex education: Socio-cultural and psycho-theoretical perspectives

“…Parental monitoring and the quality of parent-adolescent relationships in socialization are strongly influential on adolescents' sexual behaviors. Many teenagers find it difficult to discuss sex education with their parents, and most parents, particularly dads, are hesitant to do so (Bennett et al, 2018). This assertion was confirmed by a study conducted on adolescents' communication with their parents on sex-related topics and the results indicated that not only were they uncommon, but the discussions were commonly limited in scope (Rosenthal & Fieldman, 1999).…”