Understanding parental views of adolescent sexuality and sex education in Ecuador: a qualitative study. Sex Education

Abstract

Parents’ contribution to sex education is increasingly receiving research attention. Thisgrowing interest stems from recognition of the influence that parental attitudes mayhave both on young people’s sexual attitudes and behaviour, and on school-based sexeducation. Studies regarding parental attitudes towards sexuality are, however, stillrare. The two main objectives of this study were to explore parental views aboutsexuality and to understand parental attitudes towards sex education. Four focus groupdiscussions were conducted with parents from high schools in Cuenca, Ecuador. Datawere analysed using thematic analysis. The study revealed that parents held a restrictedview about sex education, grounded in traditional religious ideas about sexuality,which led parents to understand it as a morally and physically dangerous activity.Although parents expressed a willingness to make good quality sex education availableto their children, they reported having insufficient personal resources to fulfil thatobjective. The results of this study provide important information about the need todevelop and adapt sex education to each specific cultural context, thereby confirmingthe importance of knowing about the cultural traditions and religious beliefs that mayform obstacles to effective sex education for young people in Ecuador