What parents think, what adolescents think: Puberty and sexuality

Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health is a critically important programmatic and policy issue worldwide. “My Changing Body: Fertility Awareness for Young People,” addresses gaps in programming and materials for very young adolescents by using participatory activities to discuss fertility awareness and puberty. Parents influence the way people learn about sexuality, so we investigated how they support adolescents as they undergo the physical, emotional, and social changes of puberty in Guatemala and Madagascar to contextualize My Changing Body. Focus groups were held with 10-12 and 13-14 year boys and girls and parents in Guatemala and Madagascar. Results showed 10-12 year olds expressed greater comfort talking to their parents about puberty and sexuality than 13-14 year olds. Adolescents were more comfortable speaking to their mothers than their fathers, and parents were more comfortable speaking with same-sex children. A major reason for low communication was the lack of time due to working outside of the home. Parents recognize the importance of communicating with their children about puberty and sexuality, however felt ill prepared, both with knowledge and communication skills. There is a need to sensitize parents, and communities, about puberty and sexuality, and to offer skill-building activities to help them create more supportive environments. The My Changing Body exercises were adapted to include orientation sessions for parents and assignments encouraging adolescents to talk to adults. The was adapted exercises were shown to improve knowledge and ability of parents to communicate with and support positive behaviors of younger adolescents.