Parental attitudes and barriers to providing sex education to children in Deraniyagala, Sri Lanka: A qualitative study

Abstract

Background: Sex education is essential for the well-being of children, especially in child safety. However, the parental involvement in this area is often limited, especially in a society like Sri Lanka that operates in a culturally conservative setting. The aim of this study was to explore parental attitudes and identify the barriers Sri Lankan parents face in providing sex education to their children. Understanding parental perspectives is crucial for effective child protection strategies related to sexual health. Method: This study utilized a qualitative exploratory design. Data were collected via in-depth, semi-structured interviews with a diverse sample of parents across Sri Lanka, recruited using purposive sampling. Interviews explored views, practices, challenges, and cultural influences regarding sex education. Anonymized, audio-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim. Transcripts underwent rigorous thematic analysis to systematically identify recurring patterns and themes related to parental attitudes and barriers. Results: This thematic analysis revealed diverse parental attitudes, significantly shaped by cultural norms, religious beliefs, and personal experiences, as expressed in interviews. Key barriers identified included insufficient parental knowledge about sexual health topics and a lack of confidence in discussing these effectively. Significant discomfort with sensitive topics, pervasive cultural taboos surrounding sexuality, and fear of social stigma further impeded open parent-child communication. Analysis highlighted how these interconnected factors create complex barriers to effective sex education. Conclusion: In this study, knowing the reported attitudes and obstacles of parents is vital. The findings emphasize the necessity to create interventions that are both culturally appropriate and context-specific in the Sri Lankan context. The interventions need to focus on giving parents accurate information, building confidence in communication, overcoming cultural sensitivities, and establishing enabling environments with the ultimate objective of promoting child safety as well as sexual and reproductive health outcomes.