How Parents’ Ideals are Offset by Uncertainty and Fears: A Systematic Review of the Experiences of European Parents regarding the Sexual Education of Their Children

Figures & data

Figure 1. Flowchart of papers selected for inclusion in the study.

Table 1. Characteristics of included papers reporting on parental experiences and needs regarding the sexual development and needs of their children (N = 49).

	Frequency	Percentage (%)
Publication date
2010–2011	9	18.36
2012–2013	12	24.48
2014–2015	7	14.29
2016–2017	7	14.29
2018–2019	14	28.57
Country
United Kingdom*	29	59.18
Ireland*	8	16.32
Croatia	2	4.08
Italy	2	4.08
Netherlands	2	4.08
Other	7	14.29
Research methods
Qualitative methods	29	59.18
Quantitative methods	9	18.37
Mixed methods	11	22.44
Sample size
≤ 10	12	24.49
11–50	22	44.90
> 50	15	30.61
Age of children
Only younger children (0–12 years)	13	26.53
Also older children (0–24 years)	33	67.34
Age not specified	3	6.12
Parents of children with specific characteristics ^#
No	30	61.22
Yes	19	38.88

* One study included parents from both the United Kingdom and Ireland, resulting in 50 geographical locations

# This included parents of LGBTQ+ children, children with an intellectual disability, looked after children, children living HIV, or children who experienced sexual abuse