Parents’ Knowledge of Sexuality Education for Young Children: A Scoping Review of Studies in Asian Countries

Sexuality remains a sensitive topic in many Asian societies. Despite the growing recognition of the importance of sexuality education, it remains a controversial issue in certain Asian contexts. Parents play an important role in addressing their children's sexual curiosity and fostering healthy attitudes and values regarding sexuality. This scoping review analysed 17 articles published in 2014-2024 in the Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus databases, aiming to explore parental knowledge of childhood sexuality education and the associated factors that might influence their understanding. Findings reveal that parents' knowledge is only moderate on average, with significant gaps in understanding and communication skills. Key results indicate that cultural, demographic, and socio-economic factors affect parents’ knowledge, with variations across different topics. Research also highlights the significant role of intervention programs in advancing their understanding. This review of the literature over the past decade builds powerful support for sexuality education of children in the Asian context and also emphasizes the value of cultural sensitivities in promoting the development of sexuality education worldwide. Ultimately, this study contributes to the global discourse on improving sexuality education by offering valuable information for policymakers, educators, and practitioners working to design effective sexuality education programs.