NYU Study: Daughters Wish Dads Would Talk to Them About Sex

Fathers, do you talk to your daughters about sex? Traditionally, most men tend to flee the room when it's time for "the talk," leaving moms to handle the brunt of the questions. However, a new study from New York University suggests that this might not be the best move for dads to make.

The study, which surveyed more than 200 women from the ages of 19 to 21, found that many young women wish their fathers had played a more instructive and helpful role when it came to big questions about sexuality. Most women reported that their fathers played no role in these discussions, and they lamented the lack of a male point of view in these formative conversations.

However awkward this discussion might be, it's crucial not to ignore the important issues that a sex talk would cover. The United States has the highest teenage pregnancy rate of all developed nations, and one in four teenage girls has a sexually transmitted infection.

Thankfully, there is one easy way to help protect your daughter from the dangers of risky sex, and that is to talk to her openly and honestly about these matters[C1] .

Consider this helpful guide before talking to your daughter:

• Give her a male perspective. Talk to your wife beforehand to see what issues (if any) she has discussed with your daughter. She has likely covered the basics when it comes to talking about menstruation and other changes that come with puberty, but she can't give her the male point of view.
• Let her know that boys are just as scared and confused about puberty and sex as girls are, and that it's okay to come to you with any questions or fears she might have.
• Fuel a healthy self-esteem. Along with talking about the basics of sex, it's important to let her know that she is completely in charge of her body and that no one has the right to pressure her into doing something she doesn't want to do.
• Tell her that a boy who really loves her would never make her do something that makes her feel uncomfortable or scared, and that she should treat her body with love and respect.
• Lastly, remind her that she is beautiful and that she should never feel compelled to change her body or her appearance to please anyone else. Remember, your daughter is susceptible to pressures from friends, boys, and the media, but at the end of the day, you are her number-one male role model and support system.