Bridging the Gap: Canadian Parents’ barriers and concerns in delivering sexuality education – A qualitative study

Abstract

Background

Parents play a pivotal role in delivering comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) to their children. While school-based programs have expanded in many settings, parents often face cultural, informational, and emotional barriers in engaging in open discussions about sexual health. These challenges are intensified in diverse societies such as Canada, where cultural values and personal beliefs vary widely. Despite the growing recognition of parental involvement in CSE, limited research has explored Canadian parents’ perspectives on sexuality education, particularly in multicultural contexts.

Methods

We employed a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach to examine the experiences, beliefs, and barriers Canadian parents face in providing sexuality education. Six virtual focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with 30 parents of children aged 0–18 years. Participants were recruited through purposeful and snowball sampling to ensure diverse representation. Data was analyzed using inductive thematic analysis to identify key themes related to parents’ understanding, approaches, and needs regarding sexuality education.

Results

Three major themes emerged (1) The holistic nature of sexuality education, emphasizing the importance of emotional, psychological, and social aspects alongside biology; (2) Timing and approaches, revealing uncertainty around when and how to initiate these conversations and a preference for child-led, ongoing dialogue; and (3) Influences of society, media, and schools, highlighting external factors shaping children’s understanding and parents’ concerns over misinformation and inconsistent educational content. Parents also reported difficulties accessing age-appropriate, culturally relevant, and accessible educational resources.

Conclusion

Canadian parents face multifaceted challenges in navigating sexuality education, shaped by cultural taboos, lack of resources, and limited confidence in initiating these discussions. The findings underline the need for inclusive, parent-focused resources, training, and policies that support caregivers in delivering accurate and age-appropriate sexuality education. Strengthening partnerships between families, schools, and healthcare systems is essential to bridge knowledge gaps and promote healthy sexual development in youth.