Getting an Early Start

Abstract

Abstract Little information exists on communication about sexuality between parents and préadolescent children. This study collected qualitative data on family sexuality communication from 3 focus groups conducted with African American mothers of 6-10 year old children. Two broad themes emerged from the data: "Beyond the Birds and the Bees" and "Let's Talk about Sex. But How?" These themes are discussed in terms of previous literature and implications for sexuality education and research. Key Words: Mother-child communicationsexuality communicationchild sexual developmentparent-child sexuality communication