Teens look to parents more than friends for sexual role models

	Tweet

The results of a national online study show that 45% consider their parents to be their sexuality role model. Shattering stereotypes that parents and society hold about teen sexuality, the survey also revealed that only 32% looked to their friends and just 15% took inspiration from celebrities. Dr. Jean-Yves Frappier, a researcher at the University of Montreal’s affiliated CHU Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre will be presenting the results at the Canadian Paediatric Society’s 88th Annual Conference on June 18, 2011.

Importantly, the survey also revealed that many of the teenagers who look to their parents live in families where sexuality is openly discussed, and that moreover, teenagers in these families have a greater awareness of the risks and consequences of sexually transmitted infections. “Good communication within families and especially around sexual health issues is associated with more responsible behaviours,” Frappier said.

However, 78% of the mothers who participated in the survey believed that their children modeled their friends’ sexual behaviour, and that a lack of involvement of communication with fathers is especially detrimental. “Parents seem to underestimate their role and the impact that they have,” Frappier noted. “Health professionals and the media have an important role to play in empowering parents and enabling them to increase their communications with their children with regards to sexual health issues.”

The survey involved 1139 mothers of teenagers and 1171 youths between 14 and 17 years of age. The questionnaire touched on topics such as sources of sexual health information, communication about sexual health, family functioning and sexual activities. This study was financed in part by a grant from Merck Frosst Co. The University of Montreal is known officially as Université de Montréal. The Research Centre of the CHU Sainte-Justine is known officially as the Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine.

###

Links:

* Dr. Jean-Yves Frappier’s profile at CHU Sainte-Justine
* Canadian Paediatric Society’s 88th Annual Conference http://www.cps.ca/English/Media/AnnualConference11/index.htm

Important media note: Dr. Jean-Yves Frappier’s availability for interviews is extremely limited: 09:45-12:30 and 17:00-18:30 on Thursday, June 17, 2011.

For all interviews or for further information, please contact:
William Raillant-Clark
International Press Attaché
University of Montreal (officially Université de Montréal)
Tel: 514-343-7593 | | @uMontreal_News

###

Contact: William Raillant-Clark

514-343-7593
University of Montreal

RELATED STORIES:
NY’s gay baths become sex clubs of last resort   Teens may have trouble getting morning-after pill   Weight doesn’t hamper women’s sexual activity   Teens Have Less Sex After Middle-School Program   Genital herpes can spread despite lack of symptoms   Infertility Will Become More Common in Generations to Come, Say Experts   Doubling of sexually transmitted infections among over-45s in under a decade   Effectiveness of peer-led sex education questioned   Gene mutation associated with male infertility   For Young Boys with Cancer, A Possible Option to Preserve Fertility   Germany offers therapy to child sex abuse victims   Sexual Dysfunction in Women With Type 1 Diabetes   Obesity in Men Linked to Infertility   Insights Into Male Fertility: New Research Shows Potential for a Male Contraceptive   Yes, sex can kill you, U.S. study shows

Comments

[ + Post Your Own ]

Now you're in the public comment zone. What follows is not Armenian Medical Network's stuff; it comes from other people and we don't vouch for it. A reminder: By using this Web site you agree to accept our Terms of Service. Click here to read the Rules of Engagement.

There are no comments for this entry yet. [ + Comment here + ]