The research report was commissioned by the Crisis Pregnancy Agency and was authored by Dr. Abbey Hyde, Professor Marie Carney, Dr. Jonathan Drennan, Dr. Michelle Butler, and Dr. Etaoine Howlett of University College Dublin and Dr. Maria Lohan of Queens University Belfast.

The study sought to discover, through analysis of interview data, how parents communicate on the topic of relationships and sexuality with their pre-adolescent and adolescent children. A total of 43 parents were involved in the study, 32 mothers and 11 fathers.

The research found that: 

• Younger children often came to parents with questions but parents were reluctant to discuss sexual matters, particularly about sexual intercourse, with them for fear of compromising their innocence;
• Parents who attempted to raise sexual issues with their teenage children were often blocked by the young people who were reluctant to talk about the topic;           
• Many parents considered they were 'open' about discussing issues of sexuality in the home;
• Parents who felt that schools and parents need to take a shared responsibility for sexuality education were often found to deliver similar messages and  information as those who felt that they did not need to undertake much sexuality education;
• Some parents reported talking about sexual matters at a superficial level. However, they tended to invite their children to raise issues with them, leaving the onus on the young person to initiate the discussion.
• Issues such as contraception were often not covered because parents believed that their adolescent was not sexually active, was not romantically involved or had acquired adequate information at school.
• Even those who believed that sexuality education was the responsibility of both parents and the school tended to rely heavily on the school to deliver that education. 

Launching the report, Caroline Spillane, Director of the Crisis Pregnancy Agency, said:

"It's important that parents start communicating with children at an early age about relationships and sex, delivering age-appropriate and accurate information to create an environment where children will feel comfortable in discussing the subject as they get older.

"Parents are best placed to judge precisely what information is appropriate for their children at various stages in their lives.

"The Agency has created a number of resources to help parents feel comfortable and confident in leading a conversation about relationships, so that they can avoid a situation where they are reacting to teenagers' behaviour as they get older." 
          
Resources to assist parents in providing age appropriate information to their children on relationships and sexuality:

Busy Bodies
Resource for parents of 10 to 14 year olds – parents can order a copy by freetexting BUSY followed by their name and address to 50444.

You Can Talk to Me
Resource for parents of 11 to 15 year olds - parents can order a copy by freetexting PARENT followed by their name and address to 50444.

Parents, Make the Time to Talk
Resource for parents of 15 to 17 year olds – parents can order a copy by freetexting TALK followed by their name and address to 50444.

'The Facts' DVD
Resource for parents of 15 to 17 year olds – contains information on fertility, contraception, STIs and crisis pregnancy, as well as a condom demonstration. Parents can order a copy by freetexting FACTS followed by their name and address to 50444.   

To view resources visit www.crisispregnancy.ie/parentresource.html