Parent-adolescent communication on sexuality issues: A matter to discuss

Abstract Adolescence is a critical time of development, including risk-taking and experimentation. There have been increasing trends worldwide for teenage pregnancies, high-risk sexual behaviours, early initiation of sexual activities in teenage, and a decrease in safe sexual practices. Effective parent-adolescent communication is imperative in shaping adolescents’ beliefs and behaviour about sexual practices. However, there are several barriers to this effective communication. Effective parent-adolescent communication on sexual topics can help reducenegative consequences of adolescent sexual behaviours. Culture and other social factors play a role in parenting practices and communication patterns. We review this area concerning communication gaps and barriers between parent-adolescent communications on sexuality issues with special reference to the Indian contex