Why Can't We Just Talk About It?: An Observational Study of Parents' and Adolescents' Conversations About Sex

• NCJ Number: 224913
• Journal: Journal of Adolescent Research Volume: 23 Issue: 6 Dated: November 2008 Pages: 689-721
• Author(s): Tamara D. Afifi; Andrea Joseph; Desiree Aldeis
• Date Published: November 2008
• Length: 33 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined how parents and adolescents talk about sex with each other and how that influences their anxiety and avoidance tendencies.

Abstract

The results revealed that when parents were receptive, informal, and composed during the conversations, their adolescents were less anxious and, in turn, were less avoidant. The findings also indicated that the child’s perception of the parent’s communication competence was predictive of the child’s anxiety, which influenced the child’s avoidance tendencies. The gender of the child was also important, especially sons’ use of sarcasm to downplay the seriousness of the conversation. The norms of the child’s friends and peer groups and the parent’s use of fear appeals also shaped the type of conversation that transpired. There were also those parents who revealed too much sensitive information about sex to their children. There is evidence to suggest that communication between parents and adolescents can greatly reduce the likelihood that adolescents will engage in risky behaviors. This study examined how parents communicate with their adolescents about sex and how these communication characteristics predict anxiety and avoidance during the discussions. Tables, note, and references