Father-son sex communication in Australian adolescent males

Abstract

ABSTRACT Little is known about the effect of father-son communication on sexual health knowledge and potential sexual health outcomes in young men. We investigated the confidence and trust that adolescent Australian males have in their fathers and whether this contributes to the use of their father as a source of sexual health information. Data analysis explored differences in confidence, trust, and use of fathers as a source of sexual health information among male, female, and trans- and gender-diverse participants. Male participants were more confident seeking sexual health advice from their fathers, had higher trust that the information was accurate, and were more likely to use their fathers as a source of sexual health information than females and trans- and gender-diverse participants. There is evidence to indicate that father-son sex communication can play a role in increasing adolescent males’ knowledge of sexual health.