Family of Origin Dynamics and Youth Sexual Development

Parents can be an important influencing factor in the sexual development of youth; however, little is known about what occurs, including specific behaviors and emotions, in the parent-youth relationship that is deemed by the youth as either effective or ineffective in supporting their healthy sexual development and values. Further, little is known about the impact of race and gender on parent-youth sexual communication. The present study offers insight into patterns in parent-youth sexual communication and how this can differ by race and gender. The primary aim of this study was to explore how youth perceived that their relationships with their parents in adolescence influenced their past and current values of sex and sexuality. Furthermore, an aim was to illuminate patterns by race and gender. To accomplish these aims, a narrative approach was utilized in facilitating youths’ retrospective accounts of their sexual development and relationships with their parents throughout their sexual development. Youth also discussed how their sexual development, sexual values, and parent-youth sexual communication may have been influenced by their race and gender. The guiding theoretical frameworks for the present study included Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological model and Bandura’s social learning theory. Taken together, these theories support the significant impact of the parent-youth relationship on youth development, while also considering outside influencing factors and personal demographic factors. Data were collected through in-depth, qualitative interviews with 25 youth focusing on their sexual development, sexual values, and parent-youth relationships. Using a phenomenological analytical approach, five core themes were identified: 1) Parent-youth sexual communication, 2) Alternative sources of sex education, 3) Perceived cultural impact, 4) Impact of parent-youth sexuality communication on present sexual values, and 5) Future sexual values and communication. Results describe how parents, as well as other sources, influence youth sexual development and values, as well as identify patterns by race and gender. Youth concluded by discussing how their current values may impact their future parenting decisions. The patterns identified provide a launching for future research and clinical practice to continue to consider how race and gender may impact youth sexual development and values. Additional recommendations for future research and clinical practice are also discussed.