Key Social Norms Take-aways Social norms—including expectations of abstinence, gender double standards, and cultural taboos surrounding sexuality—shape parent–adolescent communication about sexual and reproductive health (SRH) in urban slums. These norms often limit open discussion and reinforce unequal gender expectations, while adolescents increasingly rely on peers, “streetwise” knowledge, and social media for SRH information. Effective sexuality education must therefore address the social context in which adolescents live, including community norms, media exposure, and informal learning networks.

Objectives This study explores how situational context influences communication between parents and adolescents about SRH issues in the urban slums of Ibadan, Nigeria, with particular attention to how social norms, cultural expectations, and environmental factors shape these interactions.

Methods The study used an exploratory qualitative design conducted in Ibadan Northeast and Southeast local government areas. Data were collected through eight vignette-based focus group discussions (FGDs) with parents and adolescents (ages 15–19) and four key informant interviews (KIIs) with community and women leaders. Participants were purposively sampled, and discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed, translated, and analyzed using thematic analysis with ATLAS.ti. The vignette method allowed participants to discuss sensitive SRH topics indirectly through fictional scenarios.

Results Findings revealed five interconnected themes influencing SRH communication: (1) shared awareness of SRH risks such as unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections; (2) strong intergenerational cultural norms emphasizing abstinence and moral behavior, which often limit open dialogue; (3) gender double standards that encourage sexual assertiveness among boys while stressing sexual restraint for girls; (4) “streetwise” SRH knowledge acquired through peers, community members, and everyday experiences rather than parents; and (5) increasing exposure to sexual content and information through social media. Despite recognizing the importance of SRH discussions, parents and adolescents reported that communication is often limited, indirect, or ineffective due to cultural taboos, generational differences, and adolescents’ reliance on alternative information sources.

Conclusions Situational contexts—including community norms, gender expectations, informal learning environments, and media exposure—significantly shape how parents and adolescents communicate about SRH in slum settings. Programs aimed at improving adolescent SRH should incorporate these contextual realities, support parents in providing context-appropriate sexual education, address gender inequalities, and engage community actors and media influences to ensure adolescents receive accurate and relevant SRH information.