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Do Mothers’ Opinions Matter in Teens’ Sexual Activity?

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, lrf{at}uwm.edu

Using the Add Health data (N = 9,530 dyads), this study explores sexual socialization in the family using the theory of reasoned action by assessing how mothers’ opinions are associated with their children’s sexual behavior. Findings suggest that the more sexually liberal teens think their mothers are, the more likely the teens are to have higher numbers of sex partners. Talking about sex and having a strong connection between mothers and teens contribute to sexual norm transmission. The more talk about sex there is within the dyad, the more likely the teen is to have had sex. The stronger the connection between mothers and teens, the less likely the teen is to have had sex. Finally, for boys, verbal communication with their mothers is more important in sexual norm transmission; and for girls, having a good connection in the dyad is more important.

Key Words: adolescent • socialization • sexual activity • parenting • parent-child relationships

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