Who Breaks the Ice in Parent-Child Sexual Communication – Counselling Implications for Adolescent Health and Development?

Abstract

The study investigated parent-child sexual communication in relation to parental education and age with the aim of determining if these variables can influence breaking of the 'culture of silence' associated with sexual communication between parents and adolescents. Survey research design was employed for the study. The population comprised all school going adolescents in Osun State, Nigeria. The sample used for the study comprised parents of 576 adolescent students selected from three Local Government Areas in Osun State, Nigeria using multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a self developed questionnaire titled 'Parent-Child Sexual Communication Questionnaire (PCSCQ). The instrument was validated using experts' judgment. It was also tested for reliability. A reliability coefficient of 0.78 was obtained. Data were analyzed using chi-square, simple percentages and weighted average. The results revealed that parental educational attainment did not significantly influence sexual communication by the parents. It was also discovered that parents' age significantly influenced parent-child sexual communication and younger parents communicated sexual issues more than the older parents