Assessment of Parental Involvement in Imparting Sexual Knowledge to Adolescents

Abstract

Afrikaans

The present study examined the extent of parental involvement in imparting sexual knowledge to adolescents. A total of 50 adolescent girls were administered a questionnaire on the source and extent of sexual knowledge. The areas covered by the questionnaire were menarche; knowledge and use of contraceptives; sexual activity; and the causes of teenage pregnancy. Results indicated that the subjects' sexual knowledge was inadequate. The main source of sexual knowledge was the peer group. Parental involvement in imparting sexual knowledge to the adolescents after the first menstruation was very limited (14,2%). None of the subjects reported communication with parents about sexual matters prior to menarche.

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