ASPECTS OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR IN THE DISCOURSES OF UNIVERSITY ADOLESCENTS FROM PIAUÍ

Abstract

Sexuality as a phenomenon that allows an individual to experience unique moments of discovering self and other, constitutes a special aspect in the human experience, through which establishes standards of practice permeated by symbols acquired during adolescence. Considered a period of transition from childhood to adulthood, this stage is influenced by genetic, social and cultural aspects, leading to formation of concepts, decision-making and performance of sexual practices often contextualized by conflict situations, like the lack of desire by parents and encouragement by friends. Anthropology supports the comprehension of these factors, since it aims to examine man’s relationship with the various systems of symbolic representation such as family and religion, both influential in the formation of the meanings established in several contexts. Thus, this study aimed to uncover the meanings and sexual behaviors of these adolescents considering the various mechanisms of influence that exist in order to understand how to structure the meanings produced by them with regard to human sexuality, taking into account barriers caused by the rural training and modernizing aspirations, expressed through the attitudes reported by them face to the struggle itself of the human existence. In order to achieve the proposed objective, it was opted for qualitative methods and exploratory research whose sample consisted of twelve adolescents admitted to the nursing course at the Federal University of Piauí. The data analysis was made by using the technique of discourse analysis, in which eight thematic categories might emerge. The testimonies revealed several points of intersection between the field of sexuality and culture, allowing to see further in their discursive statements the power exerted by the systems of social representation. The symbolic power appeared translated into the language through which flowed the opinions about what is thought, said and done in the field of sexuality. The structures that influence these girls on thinking and acting, such as family, church, friends and loving partner, emerged emphatically from the speeches, showing up a degree in the power practiced by each one, reflecting consequences qualified as positive and negative by the interviewees. It is important to emphasize the need for more critical attention in relation to sexuality, due to be an emerging subject in the various scenarios of human life, being more or less focused, more or less important depending on the context in which it manifests. Knowing more about the sexual universe of the university adolescents contributed to understand the conflicts experienced in thi s life stage, the scope of the different mechanisms of influence on these girls’ concepts and behaviors and how these adolescents justify their sexual behavior after enrolling in the university segment.