Bodies, boundaries and faith: how highly educated Muslim parents in Indonesia communicate about sexuality with their children

Parent-child communication about sexuality is central to children’s moral development, bodily autonomy, and protection, yet it remains a sensitive issue for many Muslim families. This study examines how highly educated Muslim parents in Indonesia communicate about sexuality with their children aged 2–11 years. Using a qualitative phenomenological design, data were collected from 35 university lecturers through semi-structured interviews and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. The findings reveal four key patterns. First, parents frame sexuality communication as part of moral and religious education, emphasising modesty and bodily protection. Second, although many parents may adopt dialogic and empathetic approaches, discomfort persists when addressing sensitive topics such as reproduction and sexual curiosity. Third, gendered approaches are evident, with daughters receiving moral – protective messages and sons being guided towards behavioural control. Finally, communication varies across developmental stages, focusing on body boundaries and privacy in early childhood (ages 2–6) and expanding to include puberty, hygiene, and gender ethics in middle childhood (ages 7–11). These findings indicate a gradual shift from silence towards reflective, faith-informed dialogue, demonstrating how educational background and Islamic values jointly shape parental agency in sexuality communication.