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The Conversation ·Future-gazing

Dads Today Talk More Freely with Their Teens About Sex and Relationships

by Jennifer M. Grossman, Senior Research Scientist in Family, Sexuality and Communication, Wellesley College

Published 2026-06-10 12:33:40+00:00

How do fathers learn to talk to their teens about sex when their own dads stayed silent?

0:00 / 7:25 · Narrator Sulafat

Context

Fathers are finally sitting down to talk with their teenagers about sex. Published on 10 June 2026, the piece captures a quiet change in family dynamics that continues to shape modern homes. Men are stepping into territory their own dads entirely avoided. Yet they are doing it without the informal support networks—like the endless text threads mothers share—to figure out how to handle the awkwardness. The observation holds up because it looks past the cultural stereotypes to ask what practical support men actually need to do the work.

Show notes

An examination of the generational shift in how fathers talk with their teenagers about sex and relationships. Draws on adolescent development research to outline the benefits of these conversations, while noting the lack of guidance available to men. Concludes with details on specific support programs and practical advice for listening to teens without judgment.

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