Family+Sexual+Communication

**Content of Family Sexual Communication** Discussing sexual topics and risky sexual outcomes with adolescent children is a challenging task for parents. In fact, according to Poire (2006), up to half of all parents neglect to discuss topics directly related to explicit sexual behaviors. Most parents who talk with their children about sex focus on biological information, such as menstruation, body differences, and puberty, instead of the more desired information about social pressure and relationship development (Poire, 2006, p. 152). In addition to biological information, many parents provide moral information about desired abstinence and frequently avoid discussing birth control and condom use, which may suggest the condoning of premarital sexual activity (Poire, 2006, p. 153). As a result, parents are more likely to shape adolescents' attitudes and beliefs about sex than their knowledge about sex (Regnerus, 2009, p. 64). Another study by Sneed (2008) showed that the most frequent topics adolescents had discussed with their parents were those that did not directly address sexual intercourse, such as dating and warnings about STDs.
 * Family Sexual Communication**

**Reasons for Avoiding Conversations about Sex** For parents, the two most prevalent reasons for hesitation about discussing sex with their children were concerns about embarrassing them and worry that they might ask a question to which they do not know the answer (Harvey et al., 2004, p. 390). This is a legitimate concern based on the 1996 findings of Richman et al. that many parents are unable to define basic reproductive and sexual terms (as cited in Harvey et al., 2004, p. 390). Also, reservations about discussing birth control include the assumption that their children would find such information elsewhere, anticipated difficulties in explaining how contraception works, and the concern that discussing birth control would hasten their children's sexual debut (Regnerus, 2009, p. 64). On the other hand, children may feel reluctant to talk about sex with their parents because they fear being asked too many questions on their personal behavior (Sneed, 2008, p. 71). Moreover, many children feel uncomfortable discussing sex because they think it is a taboo topic with parents (Poire, 2006, p. 151).

**The Impact of Parent-Child Sexual Communication on Adolescent Sexual Behavior** Positive outcomes of parent-adolescent sexual communication on adolescents’ sexual behavior emphasize the importance of engaging in a sexual conversation with children. According to Poire (2006), parent-adolescent sexual communication may increase adolescent awareness of the risks and responsibilities associated with sexual behavior and lead to fewer episodes of sex, less risky sexual behaviors and abstinence. Also, Hutchinson reported that early parent-adolescent sexual communication is linked to later age of sexual debut, more consistent condom use, and fewer STDs (as cited in Segrin & Flora, 2008, p. 339). In addition, more frequent communication with parents about sexual issues may reduce negative peer influences and lead to a greater belief that parents provide the most useful information about sex (Whittaker & Miller, 2000, p. 266). A research by Dilorio et al. demonstrated that girls who talk to their mothers about sex are more likely to have conservative sexual values than girls who rely on friends for discussions of sex (as cited in Wood, 2008, p. 168). Furthermore, Sneed (2008) found that a larger percent of adolescents who were told to wait to have sex until married were not sexually active compared to adolescents who were given no instruction.

**Family Variables and Their Connections to Adolescent Sexual Behavior** Aside from parent-adolescent sexual communication, parental monitoring/control, parental marital status and siblings may influence adolescent sexual behavior. According to Wight et al. (2006), low parental monitoring is related to early sexual activity for both sexes, and for females it is also linked to more sexual partners and less condom use. Miller et al. also found that parental supervision or regulation of children's activities is associated with decreased risk of pregnancy, contraception use during first intercourse, and consistent use of contraception (as cited in Poire, 2006, p. 153). Moreover, adolescents are more likely to engage in intercourse if they are living in any family structure other than residing with both original parents (Harvey et al., 2004, p. 401). Upchurch et al. found that adolescent males and females living in a reconstituted family are at particular risk of an early sexual debut (as cited in Harvey et al., 2004, p. 401). In addition, teens living in single-parent households are more likely to engage in sexual activity, possibly due to the lower degree of general parental control present in such households (Harvey et al., 2004, p. 401). In fact, the presence of any other adult in the household is related to higher levels of parental control and lower levels of various types of delinquency, especially for males (Harvey et al., 2004, p. 401). Another variable that influences adolescent sexual behavior is the presence of siblings. According to Harvey et al. (2004), older siblings serve as an important source of sexual information and may influence sexual behavior in their younger siblings. The results of a study by Widmer indicate that older brothers are particularly influential regarding the age at which their younger siblings first experience intercourse (as cited in Harvey et al., 2004, p. 403). Based on the study, older brothers who had not yet experienced intercourse were very likely to have younger siblings who were also virgins, but older brothers who had engaged in intercourse tended to have siblings who were non-virgins. Another research by Rodgers and Rowe demonstrated that younger siblings are more likely to experience sexual intercourse at an earlier age than older siblings, even when time period and age is controlled (as cited in Harvey et al., 2004, p. 403). Rodgers and Rowe found a strong support for the possibility that younger siblings are more physically mature at a particular age than were their older siblings. They also suggested that the effect could be a function of increased parental permissiveness and decreased monitoring of younger siblings.

**Gender Differences in Parent-Adolescent Discussions of Sexual Behavior** Studies have consistently shown that mothers are the primary go-to parents for sexual information. Both sons and daughters, regardless of their sexual orientation, perceive their mothers to be more responsive and direct than their fathers and thus are less open with their fathers about sexual topics (Poire, 2006; Savin-Williams & Ream, 2003). According to Jaccard and Dittus, fathers are most comfortable with public conversations about general sexual issues rather than private conversations on more specific sexual topics (as cited in Regnerus, 2009, p. 63). Additionally, the fact that children engage in sexual communication with their mothers more than with fathers may be due to a greater investment in the maternal than the paternal relationship (Regnerus, 2009, p. 64). Lastly, a study by Jaccard and Dittus showed that daughters are more likely to be communicated with about various aspects of sex than are sons (as cited in Regnerus, 2009, p. 63). According to the study, parents are more likely to discuss the emotional impact of sex, the potential loss of respect, and the virtues of virginity with their daughters than with their sons.

**References** Harvey, J. H., Wenzel, A., & Sprecher, S. (2004). //The handbook of sexuality in close relationships//. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Parents [Photograph]. (2009). Retrieved April 9, 2011, from: http://empoweredteensandparents.com/tag/parents Poire, B. A. (2006). //Family communication: Nurturing and control in a changing world//. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage Publications. Regnerus, M. D. (2009). //Forbidden fruit: Sex and religion in the lives of american teenagers//. Oxford: Oxford University Press, USA. Savin-Williams C. R., & Ream L. G. (2003). Sex variations in the disclosure to parents of same-sex attractions. //Journal of Family Psychology//, //17//, 429-438 Segrin, C., & Flora, J. (2005). //Family communication//. Mahwah, N.J.: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Sneed, C. D. (2008). Parent-adolescent communication about sex: The impact of content and comfort on adolescent sexual behavior. //Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention in Children & Youth//, //9//, 70-83 The Sex Talk [Photograph]. (2009). Retrieved April 9, 2011, from: http://thetheologianscafe.xanga.com/717877495/the-sex-talk Whitaker J. D., Miller S. K. (2000). Parent-Adolescent Discussions about sex and condoms: Impact on peer influences of sexual risk behavior. //Journal of Adolescent Research//, //15//, 251-273 Wight D., Williamson L., & Henderson M. (2006). Parental influences on young people's sexual behaviour: A longitudinal analysis//. Journal of Adolescence//, //29//, 473-494 Wood, J. T. (2008). //Gendered lives: Communication, gender, and culture// (8. ed.). Belmont, Calif.: Wadsworth.