Sexuality and gender: what do teenagers think?

The role of school and society in the view of adolescentes about the subject

Abstract

Objective: to analyze the role of the school in terms of approaching the issue of sexuality and gender with adolescents in the 9th grade of elementary school. Methodology: Qualitative study, carried out with ten students aged between 13 and 15 years old from state public schools in a city in the center of West Mineiro. The research was carried out between September and December 2019. For data collection, a semi-structured script prepared by the researchers was used, with questions about young people's knowledge about sexuality and gender, prejudice, violence and the way the topic is addressed in the environment school. The analysis used the theoretical-methodological framework of hermeneutics-dialectics. Results: The results demonstrate a lack of knowledge on the part of students regarding the conceptualization of gender and sexual orientation. Regarding the approach of schools on the subject, there is still a biological view and a difficulty in dialoguing with adolescents about their doubts and positions. Most participants also reported having suffered or witnessed prejudice against women or due to sexual orientation. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate the need for reflection on the dominant paradigm of sex education in schools, as well as the need to overcome and build a more multidisciplinary, comprehensive and inclusive approach that respects the autonomy of adolescents in relation to their sexuality.