Gender Differences in Parenting Dimensions and Contraceptive Use at First Sexual Intercourse

This study explores the gender differences in how parents exhibit parenting dimensions (control, monitoring, support and warmth) towards sons and daughters and how those dimensions influence contraceptive use. The data analysis uses the Add Health data and the sample includes 918 adolescents within two-parent homes. This study adds to the existing literature in three ways. First, this study investigates four different parenting dimensions whereas previous research focuses on control and communication. Second, this study looks at how each dimension influences contraceptive use. Third, this study examines how parents exhibit parenting dimensions differently towards sons and daughters and whether each dimension influences contraceptive use differently for sons and daughters. The results reveal three significant findings. First, mothers’ and fathers’ parenting dimensions and the dimensions sons and daughters experience are similar. Second, warmth and support influence contraceptive use among sons and daughters. Third, boys are influenced by parenting dimensions more than girls