Understanding fathers’ views on sons’ sexual preparation and condom use

The purpose of this study was to further explore the relationship between fathers’ perceptions of their adolescent sons’ readiness for sex and the likelihood that they will provide their sons with advice on correct and consistent condom use. . Researchers recruited 191 father-son pairs among Black and Latino residents of New York’s South Bronx; The adolescent participants were aged 15 to 19 years old. Using a sequential mixed-methods explanatory design, all participants completed a confidential survey, after which a random subset of fathers engaged in two audio-recorded conversations with a “father coach.” The survey and conversations were offered in participants’ choice, in English or Spanish. It is worth noting that more than one in three fathers who thought their son had already had sex also rated their son as “not ready to have sex yet.”

What we know: Parent-adolescent conversations regarding sexual activity and condom use have important benefits for protecting adolescent sexual health, including conversations between fathers and adolescent sons. However, the barriers that prevent fathers from starting these conversations have been documented. Furthermore, factors that typically influence a parent’s initiation of these conversations, such as adolescent age and the parent’s perception of whether or not their child is already engaging in sexual activity, remain insufficiently understood for fathers in particular.

What this study adds: Currently, published research lacks data on how fathers rate the extent to which their sons are willing to discuss sexual activity and correct and consistent condom use. The current research identified three influential factors, including (1) completion of milestones related to adolescents’ life opportunity trajectories; (2) cognitive-social-emotional maturity; and (3) preparation to have safe sex and avoid negative health and social consequences. These themes emerged as important to Latino and Black fathers of varying ages. Based on these findings, this study provides practical suggestions for involving fathers in primary care to promote correct and consistent condom use among adolescents.