“Speak from a place of love”: The family dynamics surrounding Black father–daughter sexual health communication

Abstract

Introduction

Parent–child sexual health communication reduces sexual risk behaviors among youth, which in turn lowers the transmission rate of HIV and sexually transmitted infections. Despite being a known protective factor, gender differences persist with mothers being more likely to discuss sexual health with their children than fathers. Although individual characteristics, interpersonal familial factors and societal norms (e.g., communication self-efficacy, parent–child closeness, and cultural and gender norms) are associated with Black parents' likelihood to communicate about sex with their children, the current study seeks to explore which of these factors found among Black mother–child or father–son dyads extend to Black father–daughter dyads and how this phenomenon (i.e., Black father–daughter sexual health communication) relates to family structure.

Methods

Seven father–daughter dyads (N = 7) and an additional five daughters (n = 5) in the United States completed individual in-depth semi-structured interviews. Daughters (M_age = 20.3) and fathers (M_age = 56.7) were biologically related, majority heterosexual, close, and lived together. Data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results

Analysis revealed three themes centering around the role of authoritative parenting, the tactics and skills facilitating sexual health communication, and family structure.

Conclusions

Black father–daughter sexual health communication is facilitated by close father–daughter relationships, non-authoritative parenting styles, and open, supportive, and non-judgmental communication. Fathers can be better supported in knowing how and when best to communicate sexual health messages, and to mitigate the possibly negative impacts on communication of divorce or having multiple children.