Views of Chinese parents on the provision of contraception to unmarried youth

Abstract

This study sought the views of Chinese parents on sex education and contraception for unmarried youth. Data were drawn from 16 focus group discussions conducted in eight sites in China in 1998-1999 with parents of unmarried children aged 18-24. While parents tended to recognise the reality of changing sexual norms, they were ambivalent with regard to sexual activity among young people and the provision of services to them. To prevent this ambivalence from posing a significant obstacle to the adoption of safe sex behaviours by young people, the dilemmas faced by parents need to be addressed through programmes for parents. Parents were clearly concerned for the well-being of their unmarried children, and keen to see their children protected from unwanted pregnancy and disease; they supported the provision of life skills education and the development of negotiation skills, self-esteem and the ability to exercise informed choice. Parents appeared willing for government to establish educational and service delivery programmes for the unmarried; it is important that government acts upon this.