Why Silence Hurts: Why Parent–Child Communication Matters During Puberty

• 6/22/2026
• Lydia Hall (Country Manager)

Medical Reviewer: Dr. Paulinus Essien (MD)

Editorial Team: Bridging Health Int’l Editorial Team

From Awareness to Action 

Campaign Alignment: Supports awareness, behavior change, and community engagement within the Period Poverty Reduction Campaign. 

Field Application: Designed for adaptation into parent guides, community discussion materials, and school-based resources, especially in low-resource settings. 

Dear Readership, 

There is a quiet moment in many homes when a young person begins to change and parents hesitate to speak. This silence may come from uncertainty, cultural norms, or the belief that schools will provide all the answers. However, for many adolescents, silence creates confusion, withdrawal, isolation, and fear. 

In the context of period poverty, this silence can have even deeper consequences. When menstruation and puberty are not discussed openly, young people, especially girls, may lack the knowledge, confidence, and support they need to manage their health with dignity.  

Picture credit: Alone and sad

 Working together: Key considerations for parents, caregivers and community partners 

1. Knowledge Gaps and Misunderstanding

Many adolescents experience puberty without a clear understanding of what is happening to their bodies (Coast et al., 2019; Mhando et al., 2025). Without guidance, they may misinterpret normal changes, feel abnormal, or rely on inaccurate information from peers or social media.

In many communities where poverty persists, this gap can mean that girls experience their first menstruation with fear or shame, unprepared for what is happening. This is often coupled with limited access to safe care products and inadequate knowledge of menstrual health and hygiene management and broader reproductive health risks such as early pregnancy.

Picture credit: Pregnant lady

Field use:  

• Community discussion point: “What did you first learn about menstruation, and who told you?”  

• Parent guide: Basic, accurate explanations of puberty and menstruation protects teenage girls.  

Picture credit: Parental protection

2.    Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health 

Communication builds emotional security. Strong parent–child communication is linked to better mental health outcomes, while poor communication is associated with distress (Zapf et al., 2023). When menstruation is treated as a secret or taboo, adolescents may feel ashamed or isolated. Open conversations help them feel safe, supported, and understood. 

Field Use: 

• Parent training: Encourage listening without judgment. 

• Discussion prompt: "How can we make children feel safe asking questions?”  

3.    Reducing Risky Behaviors 

Heart-to-heart conversation reduces engagement in risky sexual and antisocial behaviors (Coakley et al., 2017; Nattabi et al., 2023). Without guidance, adolescents may make decisions without understanding the consequences, or they may be influenced by peer pressure. For girls experiencing period poverty, lack of guidance can also intersect with vulnerability, such as missing school or engaging in unsafe coping strategies.

 Reference

 Coakley, T. M., Randolph, S., Shears, J., Beamon, E. R., Collins, P., & Sides, T. (2017). Parent–youth communication to reduce at-risk sexual behavior: A systematic literature review. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 27(6), 609 624. See Journal

Coast, E., Lattof, S. R., & Strong, J. (2019). Puberty and menstruation knowledge among young adolescents in low- and middle-income countries: A scoping review.International Journal of Public Health, 64(2), 293–304. See Journal

Javidi, H., Verlenden, J. V., Chen, X., et al. (2025). Parent-teen sexual health communication and teens’ health information and service seeking. JAMA Network Open,8(11),e2541712. JAMA Network 

Mhando, L., et al. (2025). Puberty and menstruation knowledge, information sources and needs among adolescents. PLOS Global Public Health.

Miller, V. A., Silva, K., Friedrich, E., Robles, R., & Ford, C. A. (2020). Efficacy of a primary care-based intervention to promote parent-teen communication and well-being. The Journal of Pediatrics, 222, 200–206. 

Nattabi, J., Nabunya, P., Kizito, S., et al. (2023). The impact of parent–adolescent communication on reduction of sexual risk possibility among adolescents. Archives of Sexual Behavior. 

Sievwright, K. M., Moreau, C., Li, M., et al. (2023). Adolescent–parent relationships and communication: Consequences for pregnancy knowledge and family planning service awareness. Journal of Adolescent Health, 73(1), S43–S54. 

Zapf, H., Boettcher, J., Fjermestad, K., et al. (2023). A systematic review of the association between parent–child communication and adolescent mental health. Child and Adolescent Mental Health. 

 
Disclaimer: 
This article is for general educational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Content is evidence-based and medically reviewed by a qualified physician, but readers are advised to consult a healthcare professional for personalized medical guidance.