Supporting youth in developing a healthy understanding of sexuality is an important part of helping them make informed, confident, and responsible decisions about their bodies and relationships. Parents and caregivers play a key role in this process. When families talk openly about sexual health, young people are better equipped to build healthy relationships and make positive choices throughout their lives. However, many parents do not have access to resources or support to help guide these conversations.
This study explored how parents, step-parents, and guardians in New Brunswick currently talk to their children about sexual health, how comfortable and knowledgeable they feel doing so, and what kinds of supports they need. A total of 5,462 participants from across the province completed the Ask Me Anything survey, which asked about their experiences, knowledge and comfort levels, and information needs related to sexual health education.
What we learned
Most parents said they were primarily responsible for teaching their children about sexual health and felt fairly knowledgeable and comfortable with these discussions. However, many said they only talked about these topics a moderate amount and were unsure about whether current school-based sexual health education or available resources were meeting their family’s needs. About one-third of participants said they needed more support, especially tools to help identify age-appropriate topics and complement what is taught in schools.
The study also found that parents’ comfort and confidence varied by demographic factors. For example, women and parents of children with diverse learning needs were more likely to say they needed additional resources and support.
Overall, the findings highlight a strong interest among parents and guardians in supporting their children’s sexual health but also a clear need for better tools and guidance. Expanding accessible and evidence-based resources for families and ensuring that parents feel confident in their role as sexual health educators, can help young people across New Brunswick build the knowledge and skills they need for safe, healthy relationships.
- Ask Me Anything Survey Results (external link)
- Ask Me Anything YouTube Presentation (external link)