Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

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.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Dryfoos

J.G.

(1990). Adolescents at risk. New York: Oxford University Press

Elkind

(1978). Understanding the young adolescent. Adolescence, 13, 1025–1034

Fox

Inazu

(1980). Patterns and outcome of mother-daughter communication about sexuality. Journal of Social Issues, 36, 7–29

Gordon

(1973). The sexual adolescent: communicating with teenagers about sex. Belmont: Wadswoth Publishing Company

Gordon

(1982). Sexuality education in the 80's — No more retreats. Journal of Sex Education & Therapy, 8 (2), 6–8

Hayes

(1987). Risking the future: adolescent sexuality, pregnancy and childbearing. San Diego: National Academy Press

Kaplan

M.S.

Becker

J.V.

Tenke

C.E.

(1991). Assessment of sexual knowledge and attitudes in an adolescent sex offender population. Journal of Sex Education & Therapy, 17 (3), 217–225

Lewis

(1973). Parents and peers: Socialization agents in the coital behaviour of young adults. Journal of Sex Research, 9, 156–170

Newcomer

S.J.

Undry

J.R.

Cameron

(1987). Adolescent sexual behaviour and popularity. Adolescence, 18, 514–522

10.

Oosthuizen

(1990). The social problem of teenage pregnancy — A review. Southern African Journal of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 2 (2), 44–49

11.

Papalia

Olds

(1986). Human Development. New York: McGraw-Hill

12.

Rice

F.P.

(1978). The adolescent: development relationships and culture. London: Allyn and Bacon

13.

Wattleton

Keiffer

(1986). How to talk with your child about sexuality. Garden City: Double day

14.

Zelnik

Kantner

J.F.

Ford

(1981). Sex and pregnancy in adolescence. Beverly Hills: Sage

Assessment of Parental Involvement in Imparting Sexual Knowledge to Adolescents

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References