The document explores intercultural differences in mother-daughter communication about sex and contraception across several countries. It highlights varying levels of satisfaction with discussions on sexuality, with Lithuanian mothers express the least satisfaction and Turkish mothers the most. Results show that attitudes towards teenage sex differ significantly among the countries, with many mothers expressing disapproval while also acknowledging the importance of open communication.

1. INTERCULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN THE COMMUNICATION ABOUT SEX AND CONTRACEPTION IN THE MOTHER-DAUGHTER RELATIONSHIP

2. Elaborated within the framework of the Grundtvig partnership “ Adolescence and Mother Daughter Interaction” This project has been funded with support from the European Commission . This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

3. FROM MOTHERS’ PERSPECTIVE

4. 71% from the mothers in Lithuania agree that they have discussed with their daughters about sexuality, followed by the mothers in Turkey with a percentage of 66%, Spain with 52%, Austria 38% and Romania with a percentage of 33,3%. 38% totally agree 71% agree 52% totally agree 66% agree 33,3% totally agree I have discussed about sex and contraception with my daughter Austria Lithuania Spain Turkey Romania ITEM

5. The mothers in Turkey are the most satisfied with the way they communicate with their daughters, obtaining a percentage of 56%”totally agree”, followed by the mothers in Austria 50% “totally agree”, Romania 44,4% “totally agree”. The mothers in Lithuania are the most unsatisfied with their communication with their daughters, in a percentage of 57%, followed by the Spanish mothers with a lower percentage of 39%. 50% totally agree 57% totally disagree 39% disagree 56% totally agree 44,4% totally agree I am satisfied with the way me and my daughter communicate Austria Lithuania Spain Turkey Romania ITEM

6. 85% from the mothers in Turkey disagree with their daughters having sex at teenage, followed by the mothers in Romania with a percentage of 66,7%, Lithuania 62% , Spain 37%, Austria 25%. 25% totally disagree 62% totally disagree 37% totally agree 85% totally disagree 66,7% totally disagree You agree with your daughter having sex at this age (teenage). Austria Lithuania Spain Turkey Romania ITEM

7. As expected, the mothers in Turkey disagree with their daughters being sexually active in a percentage of 66% followed by the mothers in Lithuania 62%, Romania 59,3%. The mothers in Austria agree with their daughters being sexually active in a percentage of 38% and Spain 35%. 38%totally agree 62% totally disagree 35% totally agree 66% totally disagree 59,3% totally disagree You agree with your daughter being sexually active. Austria Lithuania Spain Turkey Romania ITEM

8. The mothers in Turkey wouldn’t agree with their daughters having sex even if they had a stable friend in a percentage of 76%, the mothers in Austria 50%, the ones in Romania 48,1%. The mothers in Lithuania agree with their daughters having sex in a percentage of 52% and the ones in Spain 41%. 50% totally disagree 52% agree 41% totally agree 76% totally disagree 48,1% totally disagree If your daughter had a stable boyfriend, you would agree with her having sex Austria Lithuania Spain Turkey Romania ITEM

9. The mothers in Lithuania haven’t clearly told their daughters not to have sex in a percentage of 86%, Austria 50%, Turkey 46%. The mothers in Romania have clearly told their daughters not to have sex in a percentage of 48,1%, and Spain 37%. 50% totally disagree 86% disagree 37% totally agree 46% totally disagree 48,1% totally agree You clearly told your daughter not to have sex.. Austria Lithuania Spain Turkey Romania ITEM

10. The mothers in Lithuania believe they know enough things in order to talk to their daughters about sex in a percentage of 76%, and 63% of the mothers in Austria believe the same, 46% of the mothers in Turkey, and 22,2% the ones in Romania. 37% of the Spanish mothers believe they don’t know enough things in order to talk to their daughters about sex. 63% disagree 76% disagree 37% agree 46% totally disagree 22,2% totally disagree I don’t know enough things about sex and contraception to talk to my daughter Austria Lithuania Spain Turkey Romania ITEM

11. 71% from the mothers in Lithuania wouldn’t be ashamed to talk to their daughters about sex, followed by the 38% of the mothers in Austria, Turkey 37%, Romania 29,6%. Another 38% of the mothers in Austria would be ashamed to talk to their daughters about sex, followed by 33% of the mothers in Spain 38%TA 38% D 71% disagree 33% agree 37% totally disagree 29,6% totally disagree I would be ashamed to talk about sex and contraception to my daughter Austria Lithuania Spain Turkey Romania ITEM

12. 81% of the mothers in Lithuania don’t believe their daughters would be ashamed if they talked about sex, Turkey 46%, Romania 29,6%. 54% of the mothers in Spain consider that they would make their daughters be ashamed if they talked about sex, followed by the mothers in Austria. 50% totally agree 81% disagree 54%totally agree 46%totally disagree 29,6% totally disagree I would make her be ashamed if she were to talk to me about sex and contraception. Austria Lithuania Spain Turkey Romania ITEM

13. 76% of the mothers in Lithuania consider that they would be taken seriously if they talked to their daughters about sex, followed by the mothers in Turkey - 39%, Romania - 25,9%. 63% of the mothers in Austria are afraid that they wouldn’t be taken seriously if they spoke about sex to their daughters, followed by the ones in Spain - 61%. 63% totally agree 76% disagree 61% totally agree 39% disagree 25,9 % disagree My daughter wouldn’t take me seriously if I tried to talk to her about sex and contraception. Austria Lithuania Spain Turkey Romania ITEM

14. 90% of the Lithuanian mothers believe it wouldn’t be difficult for them to explain certain things to their daughters, followed by the mothers in Austria - 50%, Turkey - 46%. 29,6% of the mothers in Romania believe it would be difficult for them to explain certain things to their daughters. 50% disagree 90% disagree 39% neutral 46% disagree 29,6% totally agree It would be difficult to me to explain her certain things Austria Lithuania Spain Turkey Romania ITEM

15. 71 % of the mothers in Lithuania don’t believe their daughters will get informed somewhere else and this way they wouldn’t need to discuss anymore about sex. 50% of the mothers in Austria, 48% of the mothers in Spain, 39% of the mothers in Turkey, 25,9% of the Romanian mothers believe the same. 50% disagree 71% disagree 48% disagree 39% totally disagree 25,9% totally disagree My daughter will get informed from somewhere else, so I don’t need to talk to her about sex and contraception. Austria Lithuania Spain Turkey Romania ITEM

16. 50% of the Austrian mothers consider the conversation about sexuality useful, and 48% of the Lithuanian mothers, 39% of the Turkish ones,35% of the Spanish mothers, and 25,9% of the Romanian ones believe the same. 50% disagree 48% disagree 35% totally disagree 39% totally disagree 25,9% totally disagree I wouldn’t solve too much if I talked to my daughter about sex and contraception Austria Lithuania Spain Turkey Romania ITEM

17. 62% of the Lithuanian mothers and 43% of the Spanish mothers consider necessary to talk about sex and contraception with their daughters. From the Romanian, Turkish and Austrian mothers the percentages are lower ( 25,9%; 29%; 25% 25% TA 25% D 62% disagree 43% totally disagree 29% Totally agree 29% totally disagree 25,9% totally disagree 25,9% totally agree I don’t need to talk to my daughter about sex and contraception; she knows as much as she needs to know. Austria Lithuania Spain Turkey Romania ITEM

18. The mothers in Lithuania believe their daughters would be honest if they spoke about sex in a percentage of 71%, and the same believe 38% of the mothers in Austria, 29% of the Turkish mothers, 25,9% of the Romanian mothers. 48% of the Spanish mothers believe their daughters wouldn’t be honest if they spoke about sex 38% disagree 71% disagree 48% agree 29% totally disagree 25,9% totally disagree My daughter wouldn’t be honest if I talked to her about sex and contraception Austria Lithuania Spain Turkey Romania ITEM

19. 76% of the Lithuanian mothers believe this discussion is not a mark of mistrust in their own daughters, 46% of the Turkish mothers and 29,6% of the Romanian mothers believe the same. 46% of the Spanish mothers believe that this discussion would be a proof of mistrust towards their daughters. 25% TA,A, N,D,TD 76% disagree 46% agree 46% totally disagree 29,6% totally disagree My daughter will believe that I don’t trust her if I try to talk to her about sex and contraception. Austria Lithuania Spain Turkey Romania ITEM

20. It is not a problem for 57% of the Lithuanian mothers to find the right time and place to discuss about sex, 46% of the Turkish mothers and 29,6% of the Romanian mothers. 43% of the Spanish mothers would have difficulties in finding the time and place for this discussion. 38% neutral 57% totally disagree 43% agree 46% totally disagree 29,6 % disagree It would be difficult to find the right time and place to talk about sex and contraception. Austria Lithuania Spain Turkey Romania ITEM

21. 57% of the Lithuanian mothers believe that their daughters are not too busy to have such a discussion, and 50% of the Austrian mothers and 49% of the Turkish mothers think the same. 52% of the Spanish mothers consider that their daughters are too busy and 33,3% of the Romanian mothers think the same. 50% disagree 57% disagree 52% agree 49% totally disagree 33,3% totally agree My daughter is too busy to talk to me about sex and contraception. Austria Lithuania Spain Turkey Romania ITEM

22. 76% of the Lithuanian mothers are not afraid to discuss about sex. 63% of the Austrian mothers, 59% of the Spanish ones, 29,6% of the Romanian ones and 29% of the Turkish ones are afraid of personal questions. 63% totally agree 76% disagree 59% totally agree 29% agree 29,6% totally agree My daughter would ask me too many personal questions if I tried to talk to her about sex and contraception. Austria Lithuania Spain Turkey Romania ITEM

23. 71% of the Lithuanian mothers believe their daughters will listen what they have to say on the subject, 29,6% of the Romanian mothers and 29% of the Turkish mothers think the same. 67% of the Spanish mothers believe their daughters don’t want to hear what they have to say on the subject, and 50% of the Austrian mothers share the same opinion. 50% Totally agree 71% disagree 67% totally agree 29% totally disagree 29,6% totally disagree My daughter doesn’t want to hear what I want to say when it is about sex. Austria Lithuania Spain Turkey Romania ITEM

24. The discussion about sex wouldn’t be a reason for fight for 76% of the Lithuanian mothers, 66% of the Turkish mothers, and 29,6% of the Romanian mothers. 57% of the Spanish mothers believe the discussion about sex would be a reason for fight with their daughters. 50% neutral 76% disagree 57% totally agree 66% totally disagree 29,6% totally disagree We would argue if we tried to talk about sex and contraception. Austria Lithuania Spain Turkey Romania ITEM

25. 81% of the Lithuanian mothers are not afraid they wouldn’t know how to answer some questions from their daughters, and 50% of the Austrian mothers, 29% of the Turkish mothers, 25,9% of the Romanian mothers think the same. 55% of the Spanish mothers and 29% of the Turkish mothers are afraid they wouldn’t be able to answer some questions from their daughters. 50% disagree 81% disagree 55% agree 29% agree 29%totally disagree 25,9% disagree If I talked to my daughter about sex and contraception, she might ask me questions I wouldn’t know how to answer. Austria Lithuania Spain Turkey Romania ITEM

26. The discussion about sex is not considered by mothers an encouragement for their daughters to have sex by 81% of the Lithuanian mothers, 75% of the Austrian mothers, 50% of the Spanish mothers, 49% of the Turkish mothers, 33,3% of the Romanian mothers. 75% disagree 81% disagree 50% disagree 49% totally disagree 33,3% totally disagree If I talked to my daughter about sex and contraception, she would think I agree with her having sex. Austria Lithuania Spain Turkey Romania ITEM

27. 71% of the Lithuanian mothers, 56% of the Turkish mothers, 50 of the Austrian and Spanish mothers, 29,6% of the Romanian mothers are not afraid their daughters would laugh at them. 50% disagree 71% disagree 50% disagree 56% totally disagree 29,6% disagree My daughter would laugh at me if I tried to talk to her about sex and contraception. Austria Lithuania Spain Turkey Romania ITEM

28. 62% of the Lithuanian mothers believe their daughters would consider them too intruding if they talked to them about sex, and 50% of the Austrian mothers think the same. 39% of the Turkish mothers believe their daughters would not consider them intruding if they had such a conversation, and 25,9% of the Romanian mothers think the same. 50% agree 62% agree 48% neural 39% totally disagree 25,9% totally disagree My daughter would think I want to intrude if I tried to talk to her about sex and contraception. Austria Lithuania Spain Turkey Romania ITEM

29. FROM DAUGHTERS’ PERSPECTIVE

30. 58% of the daughters in Turkey have talked to their mothers about sex, followed by the ones in Lithuania and Austria with a percentage of 55%,Spain 33%, Romania 25,9%. 55% totally agree 55% agree 33% totally agree 58% agree 25,9% agree I have discussed about sex and contraception with my mother.. Austria Lithuania Spain Turkey Romania Item

31. 48% of the Turkish daughters say their mothers wouldn’t agree with them having sex at this age, followed by the daughters in Romania, with a percentage of 33,3%. 66% of the Lithuanian daughters say their mothers would agree with them having sex, followed by the daughters in Spain 44%, and Austria 38%. 38% disagree 66% disagree 44% totally disagree 48% totally agree 33,3% agree My mother wouldn’t agree with me having sex at this age. Austria Lithuania Spain Turkey Romania Item

32. 39% of the Turkish daughters and 33,3% of the daughters in Romania believe their mothers wouldn’t agree with them being sexually active, unlike the daughters in Austria who think their mothers would have nothing against them being sexually active in a percentage of 50%, followed by the daughters in Spain with a percentage of 44%, Lithuania 38%. 50% agree 38% totally agree 44% agree 39% totally disagree 33,3%totally Disagree My mother has nothing against me being sexually active Austria Lithuania Spain Turkey Romania Item

33. 55% of the Lithuanian daughters say that their mothers have clearly told them not to have sex, followed by the daughters in Romania 48,1%,Spain 48%,Turkey 39% and Austria 25% 25% totally agree 55 % agree 48% agree 39% totally agree 48,1% totally agree My mother clearly told me not to have sex Austria Lithuania Spain Turkey Romania Item

34. 58% of the Turkish daughters, 55% Lithuania, 44% Spain, Romania 37% believe their mothers would not agree with them having sex even if they had a stable boyfriend. 25% totally disagree 55% totally disagree 44%totally disagree 58% totally disagree 37%totally disagree If I had a stable boyfriend, my mother wouldn’t be angry if I had sex with him. Austria Lithuania Spain Turkey Romania Item

35. 34% of the daughters in Lithuania and 25,9% of the daughters in Romania would not be ashamed to talk to their mothers about sex. 58% of the Turkish daughters,56% of the daughters in Spain,50% of the daughters in Austria and 25,9% of the daughters in Romania would be ashamed to talk to their mothers about sex. 50%totally agree 34% totally disagree 56% totally agree 58% agree 25,9 %agree 25,9%totally disagree I would be ashamed to talk about sex and contraception to my mother. Austria Lithuania Spain Turkey Romania Item

36. The daughters in Spain consider that they need to talk to their mothers about sex in a percentage of 48%, the daughters in Lithuania 41%, 38% of the daughters in Austria and 25,9% of the daughters in Romania. 39% of the Turkish daughters don’t need to talk to their mothers about sex. 38% disagree 41% disagree 48% totally agree 39%agree 25,9% totally Disagree I don’t need to talk about sex and contraception to my mother; I know everything I should know Austria Lithuania Spain Turkey Romania Item

37. 62% of the daughters in Lithuania consider that their mothers know enough things to talk to them about sex, followed by the Turkish daughters 39% and 33,3% of the daughters in Romania. 50% of the daughters in Austria consider that their mothers don’t know enough things, followed by the daughters in Spain with a percentage of 48%. 50%totally agree 62% disagree 48% totally agree 39% totally disagree 33,3% totally disagree My mother doesn’t know enough things so that I would want to talk to her about sex and contraception Austria Lithuania Spain Turkey Romania Item

38. 62% of the daughters in Lithuania believe their mothers would be honest if they spoke about sex, followed by the Turkish daughters 39%, Romania 37%, Austria 25%. 67% of the daughters in Spain believe their mothers wouldn’t be honest. 25%totally disagree 62% totally disagree 67% totally agree 39% totally disagree 37% totally disagree My mother wouldn’t be honest with me if I talked to her about sex and contraception Austria Lithuania Spain Turkey Romania Item

39. 59,3% of the daughters in Romania believe their mothers are not too old to talk to them about sex, 58% of the Turkish daughters think the same, followed by the daughters in Lithuania 52% and 25% of the daughters in Austria. 44% of the daughters in Spain believe their mothers are too old to talk to them about sex. 25% totally diasgree 52% totally disagree 44% totally agree 58% totally disagree 59,3% totally Disagree My mother is too old to be able to talk to me about sex and contraception. Austria Lithuania Spain Turkey Romania Item

40. 48% of the daughters in Lithuania believe their mothers are not too busy to talk to them about sex, 37% of the daughters in Romania and 29%of the Turkish daughters believe the same. 56% of the daughters in Spain believe their mothers are not available to talk to them about sex, and 38% of the daughters in Austria think the same. 38% totally agree 48% totally disagree 56% totally agree 29%totally disagree 37% totally disagree My mother is too busy to talk to me about sex and contraception. Austria Lithuania Spain Turkey Romania Item

41. The daughters in Lithuania think they wouldn’t raise suspicions if they spoke to their mothers about sex in a percentage of 55% and 29% of the Turkish daughters believe the same. 41% of the daughters in Spain think they would raise suspicions, 38 % of the daughters in Austria, 29,6% of the daughters in Romania, and 29% of the daughters in Turkey. 38%totally agree 55% disagree 41% totally agree 29% totally agree 29% totally disagree 29,6% totally agree I would only succeed in making my mother suspicious if I tried to talk to her about sex. Austria Lithuania Spain Turkey Romania Item

42. 52% of the daughters in Spain are afraid of the personal questions they would receive form their mothers if they spoke about sex,48% of the daughters in Lithuania think the same, followed by the daughters in Austria 38%, the Romanian daughters37%, and 29% the Turkish daughters. 38% agree 48% totally agree 52% agree 29% totally agree 37% totally agree My mother would ask me too many personal questions if I tried to talk to her about sex and contraception. Austria Lithuania Spain Turkey Romania Item

43. 56% of the daughters in Spain believe their mothers don’t want to hear what they have to say on the sexuality theme. 62% of the daughters in Lithuania think their mothers want to hear what they have to say about sex, and the same opinion is shared by 48% of the Turkish daughters, 44,4% of the daughters in Romania, 38% of the daughters in Austria 38%disagree 62% disagree 56% agree 48% totally disagree 44,4% totally disagree My mother doesn’t want to hear what I have to say when it is about sex and contraception.. Austria Lithuania Spain Turkey Romania Item

44. The Spanish daughters believe they would argue with their mothers if they spoke about sex in a percentage of 59% and 50% of the Austrian daughters think the same. 62% of the daughters in Lithuania and 55,6% of the daughters in Romania don’t think they would argue with their mothers if they spoke about sex. . 50% agree 62% disagree 59% agree 48% neutral 55,6% totally disagree We would argue if we tried to talk about sex and contraception. Austria Lithuania Spain Turkey Romania Item

45. The Spanish daughters believe their mothers would be ashamed if they spoke about sex with them in a percentage of 74%, 38% of the daughters in Austria have the same opinion. 59% of the daughters in Lithuania don’t think their mothers would be ashamed, 48% of the Turkish daughters, 44,4% of the daughters in Romania and 38% of the daughters in Austria have the same opinion. 38%totally agree 38% disagree 59% disagree 74% totally agree 48 % totally disagree 44,4% totally disagree My mother would be ashamed to talk to me about sex and contraception. Austria Lithuania Spain Turkey Romania Item

46. 76% of the daughters in Lithuania, 51,9% of the daughters in Romania, and 50% of the daughters in Austria are not afraid that their mothers would be angry if they started a discussion on sex. 48% of the daughters in Spain and 39% of the Turkish daughters are afraid their mothers would get angry if they spoke about this subject. 50% totally disagree 76% disagree 48% totally agree 39% totally agree 51,9% totally disagree My mother would be angry if I tried to talk to her about sex. Austria Lithuania Spain Turkey Romania Item

47. 50% of the daughters in Austria, 48% of the daughters in Lithuania, 44,4% of the daughters in Romania, 41% of the daughters in Spain are not afraid that their mothers would laugh at them if they tried to talk about sex. 50%totally disagree 48% totally disagree 41% disagree 48% neutral 44,4% totally disagree My mother would laugh at me if I tried to talk to her about sex. Austria Lithuania Spain Turkey Romania Item

48. The mothers in Lithuania are the least afraid when it is to talk about this subject with their daughters, they are not afraid they wouldn’t be taken seriously, that they wouldn’t know the answers at some questions, that their daughters would not be honest, they are not afraid of personal questions, of possible arguments, that they might encourage them to have sex, followed by the mothers in Austria, Turkey, Romania. The Spanish mothers are afraid that they wouldn’t know enough things to talk about sex with their daughters, that they wouldn’t be taken seriously, that they wouldn’t be honest, that this discussion would be like a sign of mistrust, they would find it difficult to find the right time and place for such a discussion, they are too busy, they are afraid of personal questions, and that this could become a reason for argument for them. CONCLUSIONS

49. As far as the daughters’ fears are concerned, we can say that the daughters in Turkey, Spain, Austria, Romania would be shamed to talk to their mothers about sex. The daughters in Austria and Spain consider that their mother don’t know enough things to have this discussion with them. The daughters in Spain are the most afraid, and they consider that their mothers would not be honest, that they are too old, they are not available to talk to them, and that they would become suspicious. The daughters in Spain and Turkey are afraid that their mothers would get angry if they spoke about sex.

50. LIMITS It is important to take into account some limits of this study in order to avoid some interpretation errors or drawing hasty conclusions. A limit would be the insufficient number of mothers and daughters who participated in this study, like in the case of Austria where 8 mother-daughter pairs have participated, this being an insufficient number to draw conclusions closer to reality. The target groups were different. The mothers from Lithuania are teachers while the mothers from the others partner countries are women with low and medium level of education.

51. AUTHORS Data colecting: Gülsen Cebecioglu - Tosya Halk Eğitim Merkezi Ve Akşam Sanat Okulu,Tosya,Turkey Carmen Epure, Violeta Pavalache - “Petru Poni” Technical College, Onesti, Romania Francisco J. Garcia Tartera - Corporación Sindical Independiente y de Funcionarios (CSI-F Enseñanza Madrid). Madrid, Spain. Vilma Kupriene - Panevėžio Rajono Pedagogų Švietimo Centras, Panevezys, Lithuania Gudrun Wurzinger - Die Wiener Volkshochschulen Gmbh, Volkshochschule Alsergrund,Viena,Austria Results interpretation: Alina Cucu - “Petru Poni” Technical College, Onesti, Romania Presentation made by: Carmen Epure - “Petru Poni” Technical College, Onesti, Romania