ABSTRACT
Primary goals of the parent-child model include: to provide necessary factual information; to explore sexual attitudes, feelings, and values; to promote positive self-esteem and acceptance of sexuality; to enhance parent-child communication on the topic of sexuality; and to strengthen the parent-child relationship. An advantage of the parent-child model is that parent and child are learning the facts and new communication skills together. Parent/child dyads, small groups of two or three parent-child pairs, groups of youth and groups of parents followed by total group process can accomplish this familial and peer interaction and support. It is important that both cover the same topics so that boys and girls learn about the male and female body functions, but some topics are covered more thoroughly in one class than in the other. For example, both classes discuss menstruation, but the girls' class covers it in greater depth.
