Although many parents view sexual instruction of children as the mother's responsibility, research indicates that an optimal family environment for sexual learning may be one in which both parents perceive themselves as participating equally in household and child care. To examine parental responsibility for family discipline, household and child care, the perceptions of 180 unmarried undergraduates who completed the Bem Sex Role Inventory, the Sexual Experiences Inventory, and the Sex Education Inventory were examined. Results confirmed that equal sharing of discipline by both parents accompanied a more favorable climate for sexual learning, characterized by greater affection, greater rapport, and freer discussion with both parents. Equal sharing of responsibility for household and child care was associated with a more supportive family environment. Variation in paternal roles had a greater impact on climate for sexual learning as perceived by daughters than by sons. The findings suggest that the factors governing family interactions and their outcomes are highly complex. (Author/JAC)