Fathers Less Likely to Engage in Important Conversations About Sex with Their Children

Research indicates that mothers are more proactive than fathers when it comes to discussing sex and relationships with their children, raising concerns about the lack of gender-specific guidance during a pivotal developmental period for boys. A survey conducted by La Trobe University involving nearly 2000 parents revealed that most of the sex education exchanged at home is initiated by mothers. Despite both genders possessing high sexual literacy, women were significantly more likely to start conversations about sex (32.3% vs. 23.9%) and emotional relationship topics (38.2% vs. 22.4%). Professor Power explains that traditional gender roles often assign emotional caregiving responsibilities to mothers, which may contribute to this disparity. Consequently, boys might miss out on essential guidance tailored to their needs.

The study focused on parents of children aged between five and 18, with most respondents being women and heterosexual. While men demonstrated confidence discussing sex with their partners, women predominantly took charge of educating their children about sex. Both parents felt most confident discussing body image (45%), sexual safety (39%), and puberty (38%), but confidence sharply declined when it came to more intimate topics such as masturbation (12%) and sexual satisfaction (13%).

Common barriers to open dialogue included children’s discomfort or refusal to engage (28.9%), parental discomfort (17%), fear of miscommunicating (12.4%), and uncertainty about how to start conversations (11.4%). Additionally, many parents of older children (grades 10–12) felt their children were inadequately prepared for sex and relationships, with over half believing school-based sex education was appropriate yet unsure of how it is delivered. Less than half of parents discussed sexually transmitted infections or contraception, and over 40% expressed concern about children accessing inappropriate sexual content online.

Professor Power emphasizes that both parents and teenagers find these conversations awkward and challenging. She suggests that keeping discussions light, positive, and opportunistic—such as mentioning related topics during everyday activities—can foster healthier communication. The research recommends increased support and resources for parents, especially fathers, to promote more open discussions around sex, relationships, and consent. The upcoming report, "Beyond the Talk," will be launched at a youth sexual health summit in Adelaide, featuring participation from Australia's youngest senator, Charlotte Walker, and dedicated to enhancing sexual health education and parent-child communication.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-fathers-tackle-awkward-sex.html