This study extends current research on the relationship of parenting proces
ses to adolescent sexual behavior by asking what parenting behaviors are re
lated to sexual risk taking among sexually active adolescent males and fema
les. Parenting behaviors considered were communication about sexual issues,
support, and psychological and behavioral controls. Sexual risk taking was
assessed by using a composite measure of the number of sexual partners, th
e consistency of contraceptive use, and the effectiveness of contraceptive
method. The sample of 350 primarily White ninth- to 12th-grade students was
drawn from a population of 2,257 junior and high school students who were
surveyed as part of a larger study. Logistic regression analysis revealed g
ender differences in the effect of parents' behaviors on the sexual risk ta
king of their sons and daughters. An interaction effect was observed betwee
n parental communication about sexual issues and perceived parental support
for males only. For females, parental psychological control increased the
odds that a sexually active daughter would take more sexual risks. In addit
ion, parental monitoring significantly decreased the odds that sexually act
ive male and female adolescents would be high risk takers.