Parental perspectives on the legal age of sexual consent in Ghana

Abstract

Abstract Background In Ghana, there is limited empirical evidence on parents’ knowledge of the legal age of sexual consent, whether they approve of children consenting at that age, and how they perceive an “appropriate” age for sexual consent. This study examined Ghanaian parents’ awareness of the legal age of sexual consent, their attitudes toward teaching sexual consent to children, and the underlying reasons shaping these views. Methods Using a concurrent mixed-method online design, data were collected from 250 parents across Ghana’s sixteen regions. The quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s chi-square tests and Fisher’s exact test, while reflexive thematic analysis guided the analysis of the qualitative data. Results The findings indicated that 78.4% of parents were aware of the legal age of sexual consent, though awareness varied significantly across age, region, marital status, and education. Most parents (84.8%) agreed that children should be taught about sexual consent, citing reasons such as child protection, moral development, informed decision-making, gender equality, and online safety. Parents who disagreed (15.2%) with teaching sexual consent to children cited cultural taboos, religious doctrines, fears of early sexualisation, and concerns about age-appropriateness. Conclusions Guided by Socialisation Theory and the Protectionist Perspective, the study highlights how legal knowledge, cultural norms, and parental responsibility interact to shape views on sexual consent. The findings underscore the need for targeted legal literacy campaigns, parent-focused education, and culturally sensitive integration of sexual consent education in schools.