Patterns of Sexuality Communication Between Preadolescents and Their Mothers and Fathers

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to examine communication about sexual topics between preadolescents and their mothers and fathers. Participants were 135 African-American mothers, fathers, and their 9-to 12-year-old offspring. Each member of the triad completed a 10-item measure of communication about risk factors for sexual activity, sexual communication, and sexual risk prevention. A majority of parents and their preadolescents reported communication had occurred about most topics. Mothers and fathers were equally likely to communicate with sons whereas mothers were more likely to communicate with daughters than were fathers. Based on the study results, preadolescence may be the optimal time for parents to provide sexual risk prevention messages to their children before sexual behaviors are initiated.

Parents' Plans to Discuss Sexuality with Their Young Children

“…Family professionals who wish to develop programs for parents of young children should provide participants with opportunities to: (a) learn about healthy sexual development, (b) discuss the influence of their own past experience learning about sexuality from their family of origin, (c) emphasize the impact of ineffective sex education in one generation leading to poor sex education in the next (Walker, 2004), (d) understand the role of demographic influences on their communication styles, and (e) discuss with other parents various dilemmas confronting them in their sexuality efforts. Fathers are an important part of children's sexual development (Wyckoff et al, 2008) and interventions should focus on providing them with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to engage both their sons and daughters in discussions about healthy sexuality. Parents also need guidance on how to frame their discussions about threats to their children's sexual development (e.g., sexual abuse, HIV/AIDS) within the context of promoting healthy sexuality.…”

Topics discussed with mothers and fathers for parent–child sex communication among African-American adolescents

“…Mothers and fathers engage in sexually based conversation equally with their sons. However, fathers communicate with their daughters less frequently than their sons on topics concerning sex (Wyckoff et al 2008).…”

External providers' sexuality education teaching and pedagogies for primary school students in Grade 1 to Grade 7

“…Teachers in many countries have legal obligations to protect the children in their care from sexual abuse and harm, and education promoting risk awareness, safety and resilience would seem sensible and helpful (see Baginsky and Macpherson 2005). Further, the generally settled time of pre-puberty in children of primary school age is considered to be the most appropriate time for knowing and understanding the socio-biological bases of human sexuality, and, particularly, to prepare for the tumultuous time of puberty (Centrewall 2000;SIECUS 2004;Wyckoff et al 2008).…”