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Gender Differences in Parent-Child Communication about Sexuality

An Exploratory Study

Westat, Inc.

Karen Kay Petersen

The American University

Gender differences in factual, sociosexual, and moral discussions about sexuality were examined using questionnaire data gatheredfrom 84 mother-father-child triads andfrom focus groups of questionnaire respondents. Parent-daughter communication was more wide-ranging than parent-son communication for each type of sexual discussion, and gender differences were most pronounced for factual and moral discussions, communication most likely to transmit information and values directly. Son-daughter variation was largely due to the greater role taken by the mother in family sex education. Focus group data suggested reasons for the gender differences that were not revealed by questionnaire data. Sons may be more susceptible to cultural messages encouraging casual sexual encounters because lack of communication with parents has made them less certain offamily norms for sexual behavior Gender differences in family communication about sexuality may resultfrom, and serve to perpetuate, a sexual double standard.

Journal of Adolescent Research, Vol. 7, No. 1, 59-79 (1992)
DOI: 10.1177/074355489271005


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