Part 1: Table of Contents |
Programs for Parents Only
While most programs focus on both parents and their children, a
few target only parents. Although at least one targets parents of
preschool children,1 most target parents of older youth.Typically,
these programs adopt a different approach from that used with
parents and their children together. Instead of trying to provide
opportunities for communication, they strive to improve the
knowledge, attitudes, and skills of the parents so that they can
more effectively communicate with their children about
sexuality-related issues.
A recent intervention consisted of two intensive one-and-a-half-hour
small group sessions.The first covered general communication
skills (such as listening, taking turns talking and listening, and
giving supportive responses to adolescents' comments).The
second focused on talking about dating and sexuality.2 The
study was rigorous, with
a random pre-post control
group design and actual
observation of parents
talking to their teens.
Over a period of seven
weeks, observational
data indicated that
mothers improved their
communication style. In
particular, they spent less
time speaking (allowing
more time for their children
to speak),were less judgmental, and asked more open-ended questions.
Observational data also suggested that they were more likely to
discuss dating and sexuality. The young people reported more
conversations about birth control and greater comfort talking
with their mothers.These results provide evidence that an
intensive, well-designed intervention exclusively for parents can
improve mother-teen communication in the short run. However,
only small numbers of families (20 treatment and 20-delayed
treatment families) were involved in the study.
Some studies have also examined the impact of programs with
special populations. Fitzgerald, Fitzgerald, and Kirby found that a
program for the parents of deaf children increased the clarity of
the parents' values, improved perceived communication skills, and
increased both communication about sexual topics and comfort
with that communication.3 Blachman evaluated a one-day workshop
for parents of adolescents with cognitive development disabilities
and discovered that the workshop did not significantly increase
parents' knowledge about human sexuality but that it did significantly
change their attitudes toward sexual behavior, sexuality education,
and the rights and responsibilities of people with cognitive
developmental disabilities.4 It also significantly improved their
perceived communication skills. After taking the workshop, parents
reported that they were more effective as sexuality educators of
their children.
References
- S. L. Davis, S. A. Koblinsky, and A. I. Sugawara, "Evaluation of a Sex Education Program for Parents of Young Children," Journal of Sex Education & Therapy, 1986, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 32-6.
- E. S. Lefkowitz, M. Sigman, and T. K. Au, "Helping Mothers
Discuss Sexuality and AIDS with Adolescents," Child Development,
2000, vol. 71, no. 5, pp. 1383-94.
- M. Fitzgerald, D. Fitzgerald, and D. Kirby, Evaluation of the
Gallaudet Sex Education Program for Parents of Deaf Children:
Final Report, 1983.
- S. Blachman, Evaluation of a Sex Education Workshop for
Parents of Adolescents and Young Adults with Mental Retardation.
(Dissertation, Columbia University Teachers College, 1991).
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