Communication on Sex Education between Parents and Adolescents in Family

Abstract

          Background: At present, a problem of sexual-related behaviors among Thai adolescents has been increased. Sex education in family is primary knowledge of sexuality that is important to address reproductive health problems.

          Objectives: 1) To understand the pattern of parents-adolescent communication on sex education in Thai family. 2) To understand problems of parents-adolescent communication on sex education

          Methodology: This study is based on the descriptive approach to qualitative research. Data were collected from middle-school students and parents from May 20 to December 15, 2011.  A total of 46 individuals participated in 14 in-depth interviews, 4 focus group interviews. Content analysis was used to analyze study data.

          Results: Sex education was communicated in some Thai families. A mother was a key person who communicated sex education with adolescent sons/daughters. The content mainly focused on being abstinent and reproductive hygiene. Only few families openly discussed about safe sex. The communication barrier was the lack of parents’ confidence on proper time and contents to communicate. Thus, it was commonly found that parents used their own experiences as a key source of sex education knowledge. This way, sex education contents could not be completely focused. Moreover, parents believed that their children could learn about sex education as they grew up. Also, teaching sex education could encourage teens to involve in sexual behaviors.

          Conclusion: whether sex education would be discussed in family depended upon attitude and experiences of the parents, adolescents’ behaviors, and problematic sexual situation in community.