Work

Same-Sex Attraction Disclosure and Sexual Communication Topics within Families

Year: 2020

Type: article

Abstract: Few studies compare family communication about sex and relationships for sexual minority youth versus hetero-sexual teenagers. Further, existing studies often focus on mothers, overlooking fathers and extended family. Our survey of 952 adolescents aged 14-21 included 115 adolescents disclosing non-heterosexual attraction. Mothers offered more sexual protection methods messages to their non-SM teens, whereas fathers talked less with SM teens about risks of sex and relational sex. Most participants identified mothers, sisters, and female cousins, with male SMs having the highest number of disclosures to family members, whereas female and non-binary SMs confided in fewer family members or no one.

Source: Journal of GLBT Family Studies

DOI: 10.1080/1550428x.2020.1820414

Authors: Linda Charmaraman, Jennifer M. Grossman, Amanda M. Richer

Institutions: Wellesley College, Wellesley Centers for Women

Language: English

Topic: LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development