Sexuality Education & Therapy with Children

Exposure to pornography is becoming a reality for many adolescents. Open, frequent, and direct communication about pornography is needed, yet few investigations have explored this area. In aims of providing groundwork for future parent-child pornography communication investigations, the theory of normative social behavior was used to conduct 33 in-depth interviews with parents of at least one middle-school-aged child in the US. Interviews focused on descriptive norms related to societal beliefs about pornography, adolescent exposure to pornography, and the courses of actions that most parents undertake when adolescents are exposed to pornography. Articulated perceptions suggest that most parents view adolescent exposure to pornography as negative although exposure to pornography is becoming more normative for adolescents. Obstacles such as parental fear, discomfort, and a lack in sexual and technological communication openness/knowledge were conveyed. Recommendations related to strengthening parental education about pornography and the importance of overall positive parent-child relationships are offered.