Parents’ attitudes towards conversations with their young children about sex: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Parental confidence and attitudes towards a young child's readiness to receive sex education are varied and complex. There is growing global concern about increased sexual activity among younger children and related discussions about how families address sex education in the home. Aim: The purpose of this study was to identify determinants of parents’ communication about sex with their primary school-aged child/ren. Methods: The study employed a cross-sectional design for UK parents with at least one child aged 5–11 years using an online questionnaire which incorporated validated scales. Findings: A total of 205 parents participated with a total of 405 children. Parents with more than one child were more likely to have had a conversation with their child about sex and were more confident in talking about the reproductive process and healthy sexual relationships. Conclusions: Parents with the confidence to engage children in conversations about sex can support targeted risk behaviour, pubertal development and sexuality.