Parent communication about sexual and relationship violence: Promoting healthy relationships or reinforcing gender stereotypes?

• Published date: 01 February 2022
• Author: Dana A. Weiser,Miriam Lieway,Randal D. Brown,M. Rosie Shrout,Kristan N. Russell,Daniel J. Weigel,William P. Evans
• Date: 01 February 2022
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12598

RESEARCH

Parent communication about sexual and relationship

violence: Promoting healthy relationships

or reinforcing gender stereotypes?

Dana A. Weiser

1

|Miriam Lieway

1

|Randal D. Brown

2

|

M. Rosie Shrout

3

|Kristan N. Russell

4

|Daniel J. Weigel

5

|

William P. Evans

6

1

Human Development and Family Sciences,

Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA

2

Center for Human Sexuality Studies, Widener

University, Chester, Pennsylvania, USA

3

Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research,

The Ohio State University College of

Medicine/Interdisciplinary Social Psychology,

University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, USA

4

Justice Studies/Juvenile Crime Prevention

Center, Prairie View A&M University/

Interdisciplinary Social Psychology, University

of Nevada, Reno, Reno, Nevada, USA

5

Human Development & Family Studies/

Cooperative Extension, University of Nevada,

Reno, Reno, Nevada, USA

6

Human Development & Family Studies,

University of Nevada, Reno, Reno,

Nevada, USA

Correspondence

Dana A. Weiser, Department of Human

Development & Family Sciences, Texas Tech

University, Mailstop 41230 Lubbock, TX

79409-1230, USA.

Email: dana.weiser@ttu.edu

Abstract

Objective: Drawing on a feminist framework and social

cognitive theory, we examine parental communications

about sexual and relationship violence and gendered pat-

terns of communication.

Background: Limited research has examined parental com-

munication about sexual and relationship violence, a con-

cern given that parental communication influences

children’s sexual beliefs in other domains.

Method: Participants were 438 university students who

responded to three prompts about parental communication

regarding sexual and relationship violence (n=368 who

provided responses). A content analysis was performed to

categorize responses. Participants also responded to four

subscales about parental communication.

Results: Most participants reported parent communication

about consent, sexual assault, and unhealthy relationships.

Women and men reported receiving similar, accurate defi-

nitions of consent. Women received messages about moni-

toring behaviors, help-seeking, and how to give consent as

well as messages that encouraged bodily autonomy,

emphasized that sexual assault is not the victim’s fault,

and deemed physical and emotional abuse unacceptable.

Men received messages that sexual assault is wrong, that

consent is important, and about how to obtain consent.

Conclusions: Collectively, these findings highlight that

although parents are communicating important messages

about consent, many are also reinforcing gendered sexual

scripts.

Received: 1 August 2020Revised: 4 January 2021Accepted: 18 April 2021

DOI: 10.1111/fare.12598

© 2021 National Council on Family Relations.

Family Relations. 2022;71:181–200.wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/fare 181

Implications: Implications for education about parental

communication and future directions for research are

discussed.

KEYWORDS

consent, feminism, parent communication, rape, sexual assault

INTRODUCTION

Research demonstrates that parental communication about sex greatly influences adolescents’

and young adults’sexual beliefs and behaviors. People whose parents communicated openly

and honestly about sex when they were younger report delayed sexual initiation and safer sex

practices (Flores & Barroso, 2017; Widman et al., 2016). However, most research on parental

sexual communication focuses exclusively on safe sex practices, sexual morality, and openness

to discuss sexual topics (Flores & Barroso, 2017). Although this is important and informative,

limited research has examined parent–child communication about consent, sexual assault, and

intimate partner violence. A better understanding of parent communication regarding these

topics is essential for scholars as we work to prevent these acts of violence from occurring and

to support survivors (Rossetto & Tollison, 2017). Similar to other domains of sexuality, parents

are likely to be a pivotal force in shaping individuals’beliefs and behaviors about sexual and

relationship violence. The current project represents a first step in understanding the content of

messages parents communicate to their children about sexual and relationship violence. Fur-

thermore, we employ a feminist framework and social cognitive theory to examine whether

parental messages differ based on the gender of their child, and whether such messages are

informative and educational or reinforce problematic sexual double standards.

SEXUAL AND RELATIONSHIP VIOLENCE

Sexual violence refers to a wide range of violating behaviors that are sexual in nature, including

sexual battery, sexual assault, and rape, although precise legal definitions vary across jurisdic-

tions (Muehlenhard et al., 2016; National Institute of Justice [NIJ], 2010). Sexual assault is a

broad category of sexual behaviors that commonly refer to any type of nonconsensual sexual

touching or groping, whereas rape is defined more narrowly as any type of nonconsensual oral,

vaginal, or anal penetration with a sex organ or object (NIJ, 2010).

On the basis of these legal definitions of sexual assault and rape, a clear definition of con-

sent is key to understanding any act of sexual violence. In practice, defining consent can be a

complex undertaking (Muehlenhard et al., 2016). Most simply, consent refers to individuals’

clear communication that they are willing to engage in a specific sexual behavior, such as

kissing or oral sex. Muehlenhard et al. (2016) highlighted that consent can embody three

meanings: (a) an internal state of willingness, (b) an act of explicitly agreeing to an action,

and (c) behavior that someone else interprets as willingness. These multiple meanings create

intricacies as to whether individuals could reasonably understand that they have received or

given consent. For example, a pressing issue for scholars and policymakers is whether consent

should be understood by the absence of hearing no from a partner or whether the presence of

an affirmative yes is necessary (Muehlenhard et al., 2016). Likewise, individuals vary in their

willingness to use verbal or nonverbal communication strategies when providing or receiving

consent, particularly by gender. Jozkowski et al. (2014) found men use and look for nonver-

bal indicators of consent, whereas women use more verbal strategies to communicate and

receive consent.

182 FAMILY RELATIONS