ABSTRACT
Although youth typically obtain most sexuality education from peers and through media, it is necessary to consider broader family and community contexts that may enhance sexual health education. Educators should target caregivers (e.g., parents) in providing effective approaches for communicating with youth about various sexual topics, including intimacy, sexual health, sexual identity, and sexualization. Caregivers should understand (1) when to introduce sexual topics, (2) key informational topics to address, and (3) how to engage youth in relevant conversations. Expanding upon findings from a recent study on observed mother-adolescent sexuality communication, this chapter examines parent-child sexual health communication and key factors linked to guiding effective conversations, including parental comfort and the interaction of parent-child gender. In addition, resources for initiating and guiding such conversations are reviewed. This chapter provides sexuality educators with the requisite knowledge in educating caregivers about communication skills necessary to deliver successful sexual health education to youth.
