Sexual education of adolescents: a role for the family or the school?

Abstract

The change from extended to nuclear families, the growing influence of the media on masses, the unhealthy lifestyles adopted by adolescents, weakened family ties stress the important role of education, particularly sexual education, today. A descriptivecorrelational study was carried out to analyze the influence of the school and the family on the process of adolescent sexual education. A sample of 109 individuals was assessed. The following instruments were used: semi-structured interview, Parental Bonding Instrument, and Sexual Attitude Scale. The results showed that the first sexual intercourse was by the age of 14, and that teachers and adolescents believed that the family is a safe and sufficient source of sexual education. These data highlight the need of schools and families to work together with the adolescents, providing information and skills for responsible sexual health in adolescence.