3 - Parent-Child Communication on Sexuality-Related Matters in the City of Lagos, Nigeria
Corresponding Author(s) : Michael O. N. Kunnuji
Africa Development,
Vol. 37 No. 3 (2012): Africa Development: Special Issue on Parents’ Involvement in Children’s Lives in Africa
Abstract
Several studies have documented how the sexual activities of young people and the social context in which these activities take place heighten youth susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. There are contrasting findings on the role of parent-child communication (PCC) in shaping young people’s sexual behaviour. This paper provides answers to questions on gender differentials in parents’ involvement in PCC; age and gender differentials in young people’s involvement in PCC; and the relationship between exposure to PCC and sexual activities. Using data from a survey of 1,120 young people in the city of Lagos, the study shows that mothers are more involved in discussing sexuality related matters with their children than fathers, and where fathers are involved alone or in conjunction with mothers, the child is likely to be male. The study further shows that while PCC may not prevent or reduce sexual activities among young people, it does not increase it either, but is significantly related to safe sex practice in the population.
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- Ajuwon, A.J., 2005, ‘Benefits of Sexuality Education for Young People in Nigeria’, Understanding Human Sexuality Seminar Series, Vol. 3, Lagos: African Regional Sexuality Resource Centre.
- Alpert, B., 2010, ‘With One Voice: America’s Adults and Teens sound off about Teen Pregnancy’, Washington DC: The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.
- Ashford, L., Clifton, D. and Kaneda, T., 2006, ‘The World’s Youth 2006 Data Sheet’, Washington DC., Population Reference Bureau.
- Bankole, A., Biddlecom A.E., Guiella, G., Singh, S. and Zulu, E., 2007, ‘Sexual Behaviour, Knowledge and Information Sources of Very Young Adolescents in four Sub-Saharan African Countries’, African Journal of Reproductive Health, Vol. 11, No. 3, pp. 28 - 43.
- Blake, S.M., Simkin, L., Ledsky R., Perkins, C. and Calabrese, J.M., 2001, ‘Effects of a Parent-Child Communications Intervention on Young Adolescents’ Risk for Early Onset of Sexual Intercourse’, Family Planning Perspectives, Vol. 33,No.2,pp.52-61.
- Egbochuku, E.O. and Ekanem, I.B., 2008, ‘Attitude of Nigerian Secondary School Adolescents toward Sexual Practices: Implications for Counselling Practices’, European Journal of Scientific Research, Vol. 22, No. 2, pp. 177 - 183.
- Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and World Health Organization (2007), 07 AIDS Epidemic Update, Geneva: UNAIDS.
- Kim, C.C., 2008, Teen sex: The parent factor, Washington DC, The Heritage Foundation.
- Kim, J.L. and Ward, L.M., 2007, ‘Silence Speaks Volumes: Parental Sexual Communication among Asian American Emerging Adults’, Journal of Adolescent Research, Vol. 27, pp. 3-31.
- Madise, N., Zulu, E. and Ciera, J., 2007, ‘Is Poverty a Driver for Risky Sexual Behaviour? Evidence from National Surveys of Adolescents in Four African Countries’, African Journal of Reproductive Health, Vol. 11, No. 3, pp. 83 - 98.
- Martino, S.C., Elliott, M.N., Corona, R., Kanouse, D.E. and Schuster, M.A., 2008, ‘Beyond the «Big Talk»: The Roles of Breadth and Repetition in Parent-child Communication about Sexual Topics’, Pediatrics, Vol. 121, No. 3, pp 612 - 618.
- Moore, A.M., Biddlecom, A.E. and Zulu, E.M., 2007, ‘Prevalence and Meanings of Exchange of Money or Gifts for Sex in Unmarried Adolescent Sexual Relationships in Sub-Saharan Africa’, African Journal of Reproductive Health, Vol.11,No.3,pp.44-61.
- Nolin, M.J. and Peterson, K.K., 1992, ‘Gender Differences in Parent-Child Communication about Sexuality: An Exploratory Study’, Vol. 7, pp. 59 - 79.
- Ojo, O.D. and Fasubaa, O.B., 2005, ‘Adolescent Sexuality and Family Life Education in South-western Nigeria: Responses from Focus Group Discussions’, Journal of Social Science, Vol. 10, No. 2, pp. 111 - 118.
- Ojo, O.O. and Akintomide, A.G., 2010, ‘Who Breaks the Ice in Parent-child Sexual Communication – Counseling Implications for Adolescent Health and Development’ International Journal for Cross-Disciplinary Subjects in Education, Vol. 1, No. 2, pp. 88 - 92.
- Raffaenelli, M and Green, S., 2003, ‘Parent-adolescent Communication about Sex: Retrospective Reports by Latino College Students’, Faculty Publications, Department of Psychology, Paper 83 Available online at http://www.digital commons.unl.edu/pshychfacpub/83.
- Regnerus, M.D., 2005, ‘Talking about Sex: Religion and Patterns of Parent-Child Communication about Sex and Contraception’, The Sociological Quarterly, Vol. 46, pp. 79 - 105.
- Rosen, J.E., Murray, N.J. and Moreland, S., 2004, ‘Sexuality Education in Schools: The International Experience and Implications for Nigeria’, Policy Working Paper Series, No. 12.
- Rosenthal, D.A. and Feldman, S.S., 1999, ‘The Importance of Importance: Adolescents’ Perception of Parental Communication about Sexuality’, Journal of Adolescence, Vol. 22, pp. 835 - 851. Available online at http:// www.idealibrary.com.
- Senderowitz, J., 1999, ‘Making Reproductive Health Services Youth Friendly’, Research Program and Policy Series, Washington DC: FOCUS on Young Adults.
- Somers, C. and Paulson, S., 2000, ‘Students’ Perception of Parent-adolescent Closeness and Communication about Sexuality: Relations with Sexual Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviours’, Vol. 25, No. 5, pp. 629 - 644.
- Ugoji, F.N., 2008, ‘Self-concept and Locus of Control as Correlates of Reproductive Health Knowledge of Students in Nigerian universities’, The Social Sciences, Vol.3No.2,pp.88-95.
- Wamoyi, J., Fenwick, A., Urassa, M., Zaba, B., and Stones, W., 2010, ‘Parent- child Communication about Sexual and Reproductive Health in Rural Tanzania: Implications for Young People’s Sexual Health Interventions’, Reproductive Health, Vol. 7, No. 6, Available online at: http://www.reproductive-health- journal.com/content/7/1/6.
- Wang, B., Li, X., Stanton, B., Kamali, V., Naar-King, S., Shah, I. and Thomas, R., 2007, ‘Sexual Attitudes, Pattern of Communication, and Sexual Behaviour Among Unmarried Out-of-school Youth in China’, BMC Public Health, Vol. 7, pp. 189.
- Weinman, M.L., Small, E., Buzi, R.S. and Smith, P.B., 2008. ‘Risk Factors, Parental Communication, Self and Peers’ Beliefs as Predictors of Condom use Among female Adolescents Attending Family Planning Clinics’, Child Adolescent Social Work Journal,Vol. 25, No. 3, pp 157 - 170.
- Wilson, H.W. and Donenberg, G., 2004, ‘Quality of Parent Communication About Sex and its Relationship to Risky Sexual Behaviour Among Youth in Psychiatric Care: A pilot Study’, Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, Vol. 45, No. 2, pp. 387 - 395.
References
Ajuwon, A.J., 2005, ‘Benefits of Sexuality Education for Young People in Nigeria’, Understanding Human Sexuality Seminar Series, Vol. 3, Lagos: African Regional Sexuality Resource Centre.
Alpert, B., 2010, ‘With One Voice: America’s Adults and Teens sound off about Teen Pregnancy’, Washington DC: The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.
Ashford, L., Clifton, D. and Kaneda, T., 2006, ‘The World’s Youth 2006 Data Sheet’, Washington DC., Population Reference Bureau.
Bankole, A., Biddlecom A.E., Guiella, G., Singh, S. and Zulu, E., 2007, ‘Sexual Behaviour, Knowledge and Information Sources of Very Young Adolescents in four Sub-Saharan African Countries’, African Journal of Reproductive Health, Vol. 11, No. 3, pp. 28 - 43.
Blake, S.M., Simkin, L., Ledsky R., Perkins, C. and Calabrese, J.M., 2001, ‘Effects of a Parent-Child Communications Intervention on Young Adolescents’ Risk for Early Onset of Sexual Intercourse’, Family Planning Perspectives, Vol. 33,No.2,pp.52-61.
Egbochuku, E.O. and Ekanem, I.B., 2008, ‘Attitude of Nigerian Secondary School Adolescents toward Sexual Practices: Implications for Counselling Practices’, European Journal of Scientific Research, Vol. 22, No. 2, pp. 177 - 183.
Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and World Health Organization (2007), 07 AIDS Epidemic Update, Geneva: UNAIDS.
Kim, C.C., 2008, Teen sex: The parent factor, Washington DC, The Heritage Foundation.
Kim, J.L. and Ward, L.M., 2007, ‘Silence Speaks Volumes: Parental Sexual Communication among Asian American Emerging Adults’, Journal of Adolescent Research, Vol. 27, pp. 3-31.
Madise, N., Zulu, E. and Ciera, J., 2007, ‘Is Poverty a Driver for Risky Sexual Behaviour? Evidence from National Surveys of Adolescents in Four African Countries’, African Journal of Reproductive Health, Vol. 11, No. 3, pp. 83 - 98.
Martino, S.C., Elliott, M.N., Corona, R., Kanouse, D.E. and Schuster, M.A., 2008, ‘Beyond the «Big Talk»: The Roles of Breadth and Repetition in Parent-child Communication about Sexual Topics’, Pediatrics, Vol. 121, No. 3, pp 612 - 618.
Moore, A.M., Biddlecom, A.E. and Zulu, E.M., 2007, ‘Prevalence and Meanings of Exchange of Money or Gifts for Sex in Unmarried Adolescent Sexual Relationships in Sub-Saharan Africa’, African Journal of Reproductive Health, Vol.11,No.3,pp.44-61.
Nolin, M.J. and Peterson, K.K., 1992, ‘Gender Differences in Parent-Child Communication about Sexuality: An Exploratory Study’, Vol. 7, pp. 59 - 79.
Ojo, O.D. and Fasubaa, O.B., 2005, ‘Adolescent Sexuality and Family Life Education in South-western Nigeria: Responses from Focus Group Discussions’, Journal of Social Science, Vol. 10, No. 2, pp. 111 - 118.
Ojo, O.O. and Akintomide, A.G., 2010, ‘Who Breaks the Ice in Parent-child Sexual Communication – Counseling Implications for Adolescent Health and Development’ International Journal for Cross-Disciplinary Subjects in Education, Vol. 1, No. 2, pp. 88 - 92.
Raffaenelli, M and Green, S., 2003, ‘Parent-adolescent Communication about Sex: Retrospective Reports by Latino College Students’, Faculty Publications, Department of Psychology, Paper 83 Available online at http://www.digital commons.unl.edu/pshychfacpub/83.
Regnerus, M.D., 2005, ‘Talking about Sex: Religion and Patterns of Parent-Child Communication about Sex and Contraception’, The Sociological Quarterly, Vol. 46, pp. 79 - 105.
Rosen, J.E., Murray, N.J. and Moreland, S., 2004, ‘Sexuality Education in Schools: The International Experience and Implications for Nigeria’, Policy Working Paper Series, No. 12.
Rosenthal, D.A. and Feldman, S.S., 1999, ‘The Importance of Importance: Adolescents’ Perception of Parental Communication about Sexuality’, Journal of Adolescence, Vol. 22, pp. 835 - 851. Available online at http:// www.idealibrary.com.
Senderowitz, J., 1999, ‘Making Reproductive Health Services Youth Friendly’, Research Program and Policy Series, Washington DC: FOCUS on Young Adults.
Somers, C. and Paulson, S., 2000, ‘Students’ Perception of Parent-adolescent Closeness and Communication about Sexuality: Relations with Sexual Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviours’, Vol. 25, No. 5, pp. 629 - 644.
Ugoji, F.N., 2008, ‘Self-concept and Locus of Control as Correlates of Reproductive Health Knowledge of Students in Nigerian universities’, The Social Sciences, Vol.3No.2,pp.88-95.
Wamoyi, J., Fenwick, A., Urassa, M., Zaba, B., and Stones, W., 2010, ‘Parent- child Communication about Sexual and Reproductive Health in Rural Tanzania: Implications for Young People’s Sexual Health Interventions’, Reproductive Health, Vol. 7, No. 6, Available online at: http://www.reproductive-health- journal.com/content/7/1/6.
Wang, B., Li, X., Stanton, B., Kamali, V., Naar-King, S., Shah, I. and Thomas, R., 2007, ‘Sexual Attitudes, Pattern of Communication, and Sexual Behaviour Among Unmarried Out-of-school Youth in China’, BMC Public Health, Vol. 7, pp. 189.
Weinman, M.L., Small, E., Buzi, R.S. and Smith, P.B., 2008. ‘Risk Factors, Parental Communication, Self and Peers’ Beliefs as Predictors of Condom use Among female Adolescents Attending Family Planning Clinics’, Child Adolescent Social Work Journal,Vol. 25, No. 3, pp 157 - 170.
Wilson, H.W. and Donenberg, G., 2004, ‘Quality of Parent Communication About Sex and its Relationship to Risky Sexual Behaviour Among Youth in Psychiatric Care: A pilot Study’, Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, Vol. 45, No. 2, pp. 387 - 395.