Gender Differences in Parents' Communication With Their Adolescent Children about Sexual Risk and Sex-Positive Topics. Issue 2 (12th February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Evans, Reina; Widman, Laura; Kamke, Kristyn; Stewart, J. L.
• Is Part Of: Journal of sex research. Volume 57:Issue 2(2020)
• Page Start: 177
• Page End: 188
• Publication Date: 2020-02-12
• Subjects: Sexology -- Research -- Periodicals; Sex -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Sex; Psychiatry; 306.705
• DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2019.1661345
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-4499

Abstract

Abstract : A healthy sexual self-concept that captures an understanding of the risky and the positive aspects of sexuality is imperative to life-long well-being. Parents have a unique opportunity to instill knowledge of sexual risk as well as confidence and comfort around sexuality in their adolescents. Although parent–child communication about sexual risk is fairly common, less is known regarding the frequency of parent–child communication about sex-positive topics, such as sexual desire and satisfaction. This study examined the frequency of parents' communication with their children about sexual risk and sex-positive topics among a sample of 901 parents of 13–17-year-old adolescents (parent M age = 40.61; 71% mothers) from across the U.S. Parents reported on sexual communication with their adolescent children (child M age = 14.68; 50% daughters). We examined gender differences in communication patterns. Few parents communicated with their adolescents about sex-positive topics. Only 38% discussed sexual satisfaction, 38% discussed different types of sexual practices (e.g., oral sex), and 55% discussed sexual desire. Parents communicate more about sexual risk than sex-positive topics with their adolescents and this discrepancy was largest for mothers of daughters. Fathers of daughters communicate the least about sex-positive topics. Implications for intervention development and future research on sexual communication are discussed.