Freeing up the subject: Tension between traditional masculinity and involved fatherhood through communication about sexuality with adolescents

Abstract

An Australian study of communication among young people aged 12-14 and their parents suggested an explanation for difficulties experienced by fathers in communicating about sexuality with their children: namely, the positioning of fathers within the discourses of both traditional masculinity and involved fatherhood. These incompatible subject positions frequently led to problems, confusion, or withdrawal from overt communication about sexuality. In-depth interviews were conducted with 51 people (19 adolescents, 18 mothers and 14 fathers) from 19 families. Parents discussed experiences of communicating about sexuality during their childhood as well as in their current families, allowing insig..