What really matters in family communication about sexuality? A qualitative analysis of affect and style among African American mothers and adolescent daughters

Sexual and Reproductive Health Communication Between Mothers and Their Adolescent Daughters in Northern Nigeria

“…It is therefore not surprising that other workers (Rosenthal et al, 2001) report that teenagers in their study populations complained that their parents do not address all of their questions about sex. Others observed that, in general, mothers and their children are defensive and avoidant, and as resorting to such strategies as using platitudes or being flippant to keep the conversation less personal (Pluhar & Kuriloff, 2004). Maternal communications about sex and sexuality, compared with communications about other topics, are indirect, involve more dominance and unilateral power assertion, less mutuality and turn-taking, and lower levels of comfort, whereas adolescent communications involve more contempt, less honesty, and more avoidance (Somers & Eaves, 2002).…”

Protecting Our Daughters: Intersection of Race, Class and Gender in African American Mothers’ Socialization of Their Daughters’ Heterosexuality

“…African American mothers who communicate with their daughters about sex, have daughters who endorse less risky sexual behaviors (e.g., Hutchinson et al 2003), including more responsible sexual behavior, less sexual experience, and increased contraceptive use (Crosby et al 2001;Kotchick et al 1999;Whitaker and Miller 2000). Consistent with an African oral tradition, researchers have found that African American mothers who openly discuss sexual issues with their daughters often used storytelling as a means to communicate about sexuality and to facilitate armoring (Pluhar and Kuriloff 2004;Nwoga 2000).…”

“…In fact, in a study of sexual communication among African American mothers and daughters, Pluhar and Kuriloff (2004) found that the quality of the relationship increased the beneficial impact of the sexual communication. However, the protective or defensive stance assumed by African American mothers' in the armoring process may create a schism in the motherdaughter relationship, and foster feelings of shame and secrecy among adolescent girls regarding sexual issues.…”

Gender and Sexual Risk-Taking Among Selected Nigerian University Students

“…But after such experience, there is always a sense of guilt and disappointment … You wonder if you have disease; you wonder if she will come around and say she is pregnant … so to me there is always a drop of self Consequently, the author deduced that respondents' gendered socialization produces a significant element of ambiguity, contradiction, and self-fulfilling prophecies in structuring sexual expectations, conducts, and associated reconstructions (Pluhar and Kuriloff 2004;Walker 2004;Cornwell and Welbourn 2000). Findings corroborate emerging literature about variable and egalitarian masculinities among Nigerian youths, which recognized and accommodated feminine capabilities (Uchendu 2007).…”

“…If you can do that, you will avoid their trouble…yeah'' (Interview 41-Female). More mothers, than fathers, inculcate these normative feminine position-practices and consciousness in their wards (Pluhar and Kuriloff 2004;Walker 2004). These normative feminine social conducts are supposed to reflect and enhance female respondents' personal and family reputations.…”