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Research Paper (30 Points)

1. Please type the APA citation of your article in the space below. Use proper
indentations. After typing citation, highlight it, click on paragraph, and then choose
hanging.

Mariel Rouvier, L. C. (2011). Factors that influence communication about sexuality between
parents and adolescents in the cultural context of Mexican families. Sex Education , 175-
191.



2. Summary:
a. What is the purpose/aim of the study (e.g., rationale, research
question/hypotheses)?


-The purpose of this study was to determine how parents communicate the topic of sexuality
with their children and to determine what leads to the methods the parents choose. The
percentages of STIs and adolescent pregnancies are high and the percentage of adolescent
pregnancies in Mexico is not declining. This study was used to find out why these numbers are
so high.




b. What is the sample (e.g., gender, ethnicity, number of participants) and research
methods (e.g., questionnaire, interview)?

-The research method was an interview. The sample consisted of people from five different
schools in Morelos: three from an urban zone and two from semi-rural zones. Thirty three
interviews were conducted for this study. Fifteen of these interviews were for adolescents: eight
females and seven males. The other eighteen interviews were for parents. Twelve of the parents
were mothers and six were fathers.






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c. What are the findings (e.g., results) and the conclusions of the study?

-The way sex education is communicated differs depending on the gender of the parent. Mothers
are more likely to talk with their children about this topic than are fathers. Adolescents often feel
more comfortable talking with their mothers than their fathers on this topic. All of the parents in
the study shared that they did have concern for their children regarding STIs and adolescent
pregnancies, but many did not educate their children on prevention for several different reasons.
Many times, parents lack the knowledge they need when communicating safe practices to their
children. Moral values greatly affect how parents convey sexual messages to their adolescents,
which can be a cause for the high rates of STIs and adolescent pregnancies in Mexico.
Catholicism is the dominant religion in Mexico, and their belief is that abstinence should be
practiced until marriage. One of the leading causes of parents not discussing sex education to
their adolescence is because they dont see their children as high risk for contacting an STI or
become pregnant. They realize that it is a risk for many adolescents, but they see their own
children as being too young for them to be at risk. Many times parents think that their children
are nave to sexual behavior so they fear that speaking with their children about it will bring on a
curiosity that they will want to explore. The study found that most adolescents prefer to talk
about sexuality with their parents than with other people. This shows that the views on how,
when, and if parents discuss sexuality with their children affects the way children view sex and
the uses of protection when taking part in sexual intercourse.






3. Critique
a. The strengths of the study

-interviews were conducted for both adolescents and parents
-gender was taken into consideration. Both females and males were included in the study.
-the interviews were kept confidential so the participants were more likely to give honest
opinions
-characteristics of the participants were noted


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b. The weaknesses of the study

-the sample was small so these findings might not correctly represent the majority of Mexico
-some of the adolescents may have been too embarrassed to admit that they were already taking
part in sexual intercourse
-only heterosexuality was addressed. Homosexuality was not discussed







4. Application

The importance of the topic to family and relationships.
-It is important for parents to be knowledgeable in sexual practices and prevention techniques.
Adolescence look to their parents for information concerning sex and safe practices concerning
sex so the parents need to know about the options available in order to accurately inform their
children. Parents need to understand that their children are at risk for STIs and unplanned
pregnancies even if they seem too young for it. Parents should explain to their children that
abstinence is not only good for moral beliefs but also good for their sexual health. Also, it is
more encouraging to promote postponing sex until after marriage rather than just teaching about
completely avoiding sexual topics anytime they come up. When parents explain the reasons
behind practicing abstinence or safe sex, adolescence can understand that their parents are just
looking out for their well-being rather than just ordering them around.







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The student must not simply repeat the information as it is written in the source. Rather, he/she
must present the information in her/his own words. Do not plagiarize. Reword entirely,
substituting a synonym periodically is still plagiarism. Also, the student must not simply provide
a general list of information (e.g., titles of sections in the article, list of bullet points from the
conclusion). Rather, he/she must provide some details on the most important issues addressed in
the article.