title: Rural parents' communication with their teen-agers about sexual issues.
abstract: This survey assessed rural parents' (n = 374) perceptions of the characteristics, content, and comfort level of discussions about sexual issues with their teens. Almost all parents (94%) reported they had talked with their teens about sex. Two-thirds (65%) reported being comfortable talking with their teens about sexual issues. From a list of 17 potential topical areas in sexual communication, parents were most likely to discuss with their teens the responsibilities of being a parent (46%), sexually transmitted diseases (40%), dating behavior (37%), and not having sex until marriage (36%). Most parents (80%) believed that the majority of sexuality education should be provided by the family and supplemented by outside organizations, preferably schools. Almost all parents (92%) believed sexuality education should include information on birth control methods including condoms. Almost two of three parents (64%) believed schools should begin teaching sexuality education before students reach seventh grade. Parents (52%) claimed they could best be helped in communicating with their teens by receiving a regular newsletter regarding teen sexual issues.
authors.affiliation: Mercy Health Partners Family Practice Residency Program, Toledo, OH 43606, USA. Timothy_Jordan@mhsnr.org
authors.forename: T R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Jordan
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Price
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fitzgerald
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000328:Adult; D003142:Communication; D017280:Condoms; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence; D012424:Rural Population; D012736:Sex Education; D012746:Sexual Abstinence; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires