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Parent-child quality of sex-related communication before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

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  • Efrati, Yaniv

Abstract

Research on parent–child sexual communication has increased in recent years, but we know almost nothing about whether parents correctly perceive the quality of sex-related communication with their children. In the present study, I investigated by longitudinal research whether parents correctly perceive the quality of sex-related communication with their children, whether COVID-19 affects the quality of sex-related communication between parents and children, and the congruence in the perceptions of this quality. The sample comprised 300 Israeli families [triad of mothers, fathers, and one adolescent (39% boys, 61% girls; age 14–18)]. Results indicate that adolescents reported more dysfunctional parent–child communication about sex with their fathers, especially within father-son relationships. Moreover, I found that parent–child congruence was surprisingly high and highly dependent on parents’ and children’s gender and the family’s religiosity. The COVID-19 pandemic positively affected father-child communication, supposedly because of greater paternal involvement. These findings highlight an important and understudied topic in the hope of motivating additional researchers and practitioners to adopt a familial, microsystem perspective on healthy sexual development. This view holds great promise in promoting normal sexual development and decreasing risky sexual behaviors.

Suggested Citation

  • Efrati, Yaniv, 2023. "Parent-child quality of sex-related communication before and during the COVID-19 pandemic," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:153:y:2023:i:c:s0190740923003006
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2023.107105
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    1. Aviad E. Raz & Gavan Tzruya, 2018. "Doing gender in segregated and assimilative organizations: Ultra†Orthodox Jewish women in the Israeli high†tech labour market," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 25(4), pages 361-378, July.
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    3. Jennifer M. Grossman & Lisa J. Jenkins & Amanda M. Richer, 2018. "Parents’ Perspectives on Family Sexuality Communication from Middle School to High School," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-14, January.
    4. Mangiavacchi, Lucia & Piccoli, Luca & Pieroni, Luca, 2021. "Fathers matter: Intrahousehold responsibilities and children's wellbeing during the COVID-19 lockdown in Italy," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 42(C).
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