Family Life and Sexual Learning, 1975-1977

This study was undertaken to explore the role of parents in the sexual learning of children and to influence the design and development of new policies and programs regarding the teaching of sexuality in the greater Cleveland area. A cross-sectional survey of parents of 3- to 11-year-old children was performed using a stratified, unequal probability sample representing a range of backgrounds and social classes. Interviews were conducted with 1,482 parents from 987 households. Both parents were interviewed in 582 households; in 178 dual-parent households only one parent was interviewed; and 140 single parents were interviewed and counted as households. Data were collected using personal interviews lasting an average of 70 minutes as well as self-administered questionnaires. Topics included sexual issues, relationships, and values; attitudes toward sexuality; communications; parents' and family demographics; and information on resources for sexual learning and communication. Interviews with seven groups of parents were also conducted and videotaped. The Murray Research Archive has only numeric file data from the study. This sample was followed up in 1984 (see Kahn, Log# 00741).