Beyond “the talk”: Parent–adolescent sexual socialization in a culture that silences discourse about adolescent sexuality

Abstract Objective This systematic review examined how parents socialize their adolescents' sexual behaviors and attitudes through indirect communication processes. Background Sexual socialization between parents and adolescents extends beyond formal conversations about sexuality. Understanding indirect sexual socialization can identify messages that may be helpful or harmful to adolescents living in the United States, a culture where family conversations about sex are often uncomfortable and infrequent. Method We systematically reviewed 41 articles from 2012–2022 that addressed how U.S. parents indirectly socialize their adolescents' sexuality. Results Parents conveyed messages about sexuality through their behaviors (modeling behaviors and enforcing rules), words (and silence) in everyday conversations, and emotional reactions to sexual topics. These processes reflected parents' own sexualization within contexts in which sexual behavior during adolescence is seen as inappropriate, embarrassing, or private. Some adolescents internalized parents' indirect sexual socialization. However, parents and adolescents are also agentic and sometimes resisted problematic socialization processes. Conclusion Findings suggest that a cultural discourse of silence on adolescent sexuality leaves parents unprepared for everyday interactions that present socializing opportunities. Overcoming this lack of preparation requires conscious effort on the part of parents and adolescents. Implications Understanding indirect sexual socialization processes allows researchers and practitioners to identify strategies to interrupt problematic intergenerational cycles and to challenge the harmful effects of macrolevel political divisiveness on families and children.