Redefining Father Roles in Family Sexual Health Communication: A Qualitative Exploration

ABSTRACT Objective This study qualitatively investigated fathers' perspectives on family roles and communication related to talking with teens about sex and relationships. Background Father‐teen talk about sex and relationships can protect teens from sexual risk behaviors. However, few studies explore fathers' roles and engagement within family systems to support teens' sexual health and relationships. Method Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 43 fathers of high school‐aged teens. Interview data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results Results identified themes related to fathers' feelings about talking with their teens about sex, fathers' talk with their own parents about sex, fathers' and mothers' roles in talking with their teens about sex, and parents' communication with each other about their teens' sexual health. Conclusion This study identifies supports and barriers to father–teen communication about sex and suggests that parents' patterns of coparenting extend to supporting their teens' sexual health. Implications These findings show the need to expand our understanding of father‐teen communication about sex from a dyadic relationship to one which is embedded in a family system.