Abstract

This study sought to understand the relationship between father’s sexual shame and children’s sexual shame. Parents play a role in shaping their children’s behaviors and perceptions in regard to sexuality. Most of this research analyzed data from the viewpoint of the mother, missing the potentially unique perspective and influence of fathers. Using longitudinal survey data from 361 fathers-adolescent dyads, I proposed to study the relations between father sexual shame and child sexual shame, and the possible mediating role of father-child sex communication. I predicted that quality of sex communication, including controlling and open communication, would mediate father sexual shame and child sexual shame (Hypothesis 1). I also predicted fathers' sexual shame to be positively and significantly related to their children’s sexual shame (Hypothesis 2). Lastly, I predicted that there will be a difference between how father sexual shame transmits to their sons versus their daughters (Hypothesis 3). Hypotheses one and two were tested through the specification of two auto-regressive cross-lagged path models in an SEM framework with hypothesis three being tested using a multigroup model. Analyses found a bi-directional relationship between father sexual shame and child sexual shame. Quality of sex communication showed select associations with father and child shame, but did not mediate the link between father sexual shame and child sexual shame. No gender differences emerged in how father sexual shame is transmitted to their sons and daughters. Further research would benefit from examining other pathways in which father sexual shame may transmit to their child’s sexual shame. Keywords: sexual shame, fatherhood, father-child communication, sex communication.

Degree

College and Department

Family, Home, and Social Sciences; Family Life

Rights

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