Parent-adolescent communication about sex in rural India: U.S.-India collaboration to prevent adolescent HIV
Guilamo-Ramos, V.; Soletti, A.Banu.; Burnette, D.; Sharma, S.; Leavitt, S.; McCarthy, K.
Qualitative Health Research 22(6): 788-800
2012
ISSN/ISBN: 1049-7323 PMID: 22232297 DOI: 10.1177/1049732311431943Document Number: 552188
In this article, we examine parent-adolescent communication about sex among rural Indian youth and their parents. We conducted in-depth interviews (N = 40) with mothers, fathers, and adolescent boys and girls aged 14 to 18 years in a rural community in Maharashtra, India. In the context of key cultural factors, including gender-related norms, we explore issues of sexual health and critically assess widely held beliefs that Indian parents are unwilling or unable to discuss sex-related topics with their children. Our findings suggest that despite communication barriers, e.g., lack of knowledge and cultural proscriptions, Indian families are interested in and willing to communicate about sex-related topics. Future research should seek to determine the viability of family-based HIV prevention interventions for Indian adolescents.