Voices of Latino parents and teens: Tailored strategies for parent-child communication related to sex

ISSN： 1469-9389

Source： Journal of Children and Poverty, Vol.17, Iss.1, 2011-03, pp. : 125-138

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Abstract

Parent-child communication around sex-related topics is relevant to the promotion of health. But there is little research on the perspectives that Latino parents and teens have regarding talking about sex. The aim of this qualitative inquiry was to explore the perspectives of first-generation Latino parents and their adolescents on the effects their personal experiences and culture have on conversations about sex-related topics. Four primary themes emerged and were reflected consistently in the five groups studied. The themes were culture, personal experiences, gender differences, and changes in beliefs and attitudes. Woven together, these themes paint a dynamic yet logical picture of the ways in which the participants' culture and experiences shape their beliefs and practices. Our findings suggest that immigration, level of acculturation, and gender and family roles shape communication about sex-related topics and therefore should be considered when developing teen pregnancy prevention programs.