Just Be Open About It or Turn Up the Radio: A Qualitative Analysis of Parent-Child Sexual Communication Experiences in Adolescence

Abstract

Parent-child sexual communication (PCSC) has been found to be an important predicting factor for later sexual health. This paper explored the topics, values, and communication styles of PCSC, and emerging adults’ suggestions for improving PCSC. The current study utilized data collected from focus groups conducted in 2012 with 38 college-aged emerging adults (50% female) who reported previously having sexual intercourse regarding their memories of PCSC. The findings show that the most salient topics discussed during PCSC were the adolescents’ sexual history/activity, birth control/contraceptives, abstinence or delaying sex, and parents’ personal experiences. Participants reported communication characterized by infrequent and one-sided conversations dominated by the parent. They also reported that parents tended to communicate accepting values (parental acknowledgement or acceptance that their children would likely be sexually active in adolescence) during PCSC. Finally, participants’ most common suggestion for improvement was to have supportive and open PCSC where children can go to their parents for information and support regardless of their sexual decisions. Gender differences arose across multiple subthemes. Parents are rarely discussing in-depth sexual health topics in an open manner. There are multiple areas in which parents can improve when discussing sexuality with their children. Funding for parent-targeted programming should be allocated to help parents be more effective sex educators in the home by improving PCSC quality. Comprehensive sex education should be provided for students in schools to help supplement the sexual values they learn at home when parents do not provide sexual health information.