Parent-teenager sexuality education communication: Teenagers’ perceptions of barriers to parental access

Abstract

Sexuality education communication between parents and teenagers plays a significant role in delaying sexual debut for teenagers, helping in the prevention of teenage pregnancy and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. Studies report that sexuality education communication between teenagers and parents is minimal, uncoordinated, and ineffective. This exposes teenagers to negative sexual behaviours, which could lead to HIV and unplanned teenage pregnancy. The purpose of the study was to explore the views and perceptions of teenagers in the rural KwaZulu-Natal on barriers to sexuality education communication with their parents. The study was conducted in three purposefully chosen rural locations of the KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa, using qualitative descriptive phenomenology. Data were collected from 22 purposively chosen teenagers using semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was done using Colaizzi’s framework for data analysis. Themes that emerged from the data were fear and culture.  Overall findings revealed that sexuality education communication between teenagers and their parents was perceived by teenagers in the rural areas as a fearful and culturally prohibited activity. We recommend that parent-teenager sexuality education communication strategies should be developed to enhance such communication.