The role of parents in sex education at home

Abstract

Objective
This study aimed to clarify the role of parents in sex education at home from the perspectives of both parents and children.
Materials and Methods
From among junior high school students and their parents in M City, A Prefecture, we recruited 21 people, comprised of 11 students and 10 of their parents, as our test subjects. We notified them by letter, and later explained the survey to them by telephone to obtain their informed consent. In non-structured interviews conducted separately with the parents and students, we asked their opinions about the role of parents in sex education at home. Then, we conducted a qualitative description and analysis of the data.
Results
Eleven categories were extracted regarding the role of parents in sex education. Among them, the role of parents in sex education as defined by the parents fell into the following 8 categories: "know what is taught as sex education at school", "work in liaison with sex education at school", "advise their children if asked about sex", "accept their children's growth", "provide accurate sexual knowledge", "adjust parent-child relationships", and "keep the relationship between the mother and father on good terms". On the other hand, the role of parents in sex education as defined by the children fell into the following 3 categories: "support their children to receive the desired sex education", "intervene in their children's problematic sex-related issues", "adjust the home environment".
Conclusion
Our study suggests that the role of parents in sex education is, in addition to providing knowledge, to advise their children based on their own experiences and cope with their children's practical issues. With regard to the parent-child relationship, it is important for parents to communicate with their children and be approachable.