Oral

Recent research provides substantial evidence that parent-adolescent communication about sexuality is associated with improved adolescent sexual health outcomes. This session will discuss evidence from the US, Mexico and China on this topic. The first panelist will present qualitative data describing how African American parents monitor the sexual behavior of their children. The second panelist will explore communication between parents and adolescents in Mexico. The results of this study suggests that parent-adolescent communication increases condom use and decreases sexual initiation. Chinese immigrant families in New York City are the focus of the third presentation. The final panelist will examine the influence of father-son relationships on the sexual behaviors and values of college age males.

Session Objectives: 1) Understand the ways African American parents are monitoring their adolescents’ sexual behavior 2) To understand the characteristics of Mexican parent-adolescent communication about sex 3) Articulate major gaps in parent-adolescent communication about sexual practices among Chinese immigrants 4) Recognize fathers’ influence on college males’ ability to develop their own guidelines regarding personal sexual behavior

CE Credits: CME, Health Education (CHES), Nursing