Facilitating Parent-Child Communication About Sexuality

A growing body of research indicates that early, frequent, and repetitive communication about sexuality between parents and children helps to prevent early sexual activity, protect against risky sexual behaviors, and promote condom use. However, national surveys of adolescents also have shown that only about 1 in 10 adolescents discussed sex with their parents before having sex, and fewer than half have ever discussed how to know if they are ready to have sex. Pediatricians can promote parent-child communication about sexuality from an early age and support parents and teens as these conversations evolve.

Although the literature on promoting parent-child communication about sexuality grows, methods of fostering healthy sexuality among children and teens remains controversial. The debate goes on about abstinence-only versus comprehensive reproductive education. Children, teens, parents, and pediatricians receive complicated messages from the media; peers; and professional, religious, and lay leaders. Pediatricians can help parents clarify their own values and beliefs, provide medically accurate information, and identify community resources to support positive communication about …