In McConaughey's 2020 memoir Greenlights, the actor opened up about the sexual abuse he experienced as a teenager.
In an appearance on the premiere episode of Amanda de Cadenet's podcast The Conversation: About the Men in September, McConaughey was asked by de Cadenet about the abuse and how he knew the right way to approach sexual situations as he moved through adolescence.
McConaughey said his parents taught him to be respectful in such situations and credited his father with teaching him about consent.
"[My father is] talking to me as his son, as a male in this situation and speaking to me about a heterosexual relationship," the actor recalled in a clip from the episode. "He says, 'If you ever feel the girl, the female, hesitate, stop.' "
"Wow, he told you about consent," de Cadenet said in response.
"He even said this: 'You may even feel them hesitate and then after you stop, then they go, 'Oh no, no, c'mon,' Don't. Wait until next time,' " McConaughey said.
"And he was right. I got in circumstances where I was like, 'Nah nah nah, okay, I'm out' and then saying, 'Okay, cool, I'm out.' The girl went, 'Oh, well, no c'mon,' and I was like, 'No, no, no,' " the actor added. "And he said, 'Trust you'll have another day if it's to be.' "