Only half of U.S. teens talk with their parents about sex, according to a 2014 study from Planned Parenthood, which reflects the discomfort both parents and teens often feel regarding these conversations. To avoid the awkwardness, many teens seek advice from non-parental family members, like older sisters and brothers or aunts and uncles, who they see as easier to talk to and less judgmental than parents. However, little research has been done about these conversations and whether they can protect teens from risky sexual behaviors. During this presentation, Jennifer Grossman, Ph.D., a senior research scientist, and Anmol Nagar ’21, a Wellesley College student research intern, share their research in progress on this topic, discuss how conversations with non-parental family can protect teens from risky sexual behavior, and how these family members talk with teens about sex and relationships.

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March 29, 2019