The assessment focused particularly on parent-child communication and its frequency. Free intergenerational and intragenerational communication may indicate the level of support respondents feel when making reproductive health decisions. Communication Between Parents and Children Parents were asked if they had children between the ages of 10 and 19 living at home. Those who did were asked about communication with their oldest child in that age group. The parents were asked whether they had spoken to their child about selected topics in the year preceding the survey.
Findings show remarkable agreement between the adolescents and their parents.
Less than one-third had discussed abortion, contraception, or puberty. Results showed some gender differentials. Fathers were more likely than mothers to have discussed school matters, future careers, and alcohol and drugs to their children. Interestingly, however, slightly more fathers talked to their children about family planning than mothers. Mothers Who Discussed Selected Topics with Sons and Daughters in the Last Year, Kenya, 1994.