From School to Home: Malaysian Parents’ Perceptions and Readiness for Family-Based Sexuality Education
Abstract
Sexuality education has been a popular topic of long heated societal debate. The morals behind sexuality education and how they should be portrayed and approached by individuals have been controversial. Nevertheless, progressive global changes have resulted a significant shift in the concept of sexuality education. Hence, the way sexuality education is communicated has also changed, from who to where it is taught. Thus, this study explored Malaysian parental perception and experience in delivering family-based sexuality education (FBSE) and examined parental understanding and readiness regarding sexuality education. Data was collected using mixed-method approach. Five families participated in interviews, observational protocols, and document-checking, while 164 families answered an online survey to measure their readiness and understanding regarding FBSE. The results yielded nine main sub-themes: parents’ understanding and importance of sexuality education, sexuality education in school, benefits of sexuality education, topics of sexuality education, sexuality education through effective communication and utilisation of tools, sexuality education begins early at home, uneasiness caused by gender difference, beliefs and culture as a threat, and sexuality as a taboo. Up to 47.6% of the parents strongly supported the importance of FBSE to adolescent development. The parents demonstrated a high level of sexuality understanding (69.5%) and readiness to commit (64.6%). Overall, the parents’ perceptions, involvement, and the barriers faced when providing FBSE were revealed, which was in accordance with the three research objectives. This study contributed to the existing body of knowledge on FBSE and suggested practical implications. Hence, more studies could explore the outcomes of FBSE.
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