Juventudes e masculinidades: conversando sobre gênero com estudantes em uma escola pública no municipio de Feira de Santana-Ba

Abstract

Studies that link gender, youth and masculinities are still recent in contemporary society, and the current conjuncture of resistance against the debate on gender issues, demarcated by discourses of power, makes relevant the realization of this study. Encouraging the discussion of gender and relationships between men and women among young people at school, taking into account other models of non-hegemonic masculinities, is relevant both for the field of scientific production and for the field of scholastic practices and of social relations in general. This research aims to investigate the production of masculinities among young men and women in school life, crossed by their singularities, sociabilities and socialization processes, with the objective of analyzing masculinity productions among young men and young women, aged 15 to 23, at a state public school in Feira de Santana, Bahia. It is a research with a qualitative approach in which, through the dialogue with the youngsters, it was sought to understand how they have constructed conceptions and experiences about masculinities. To do so, we used data production and recording strategies (informal conversations, use of the field diary, discussion groups and interviews) and the application of questionnaires to students. The analysis of the data obtained evidenced different experiences of masculinities, sexuality and gender relations. The analysis also signalized existing tensions between the identity configurations built and assumed by the young people and the expectations about them projected by the family, religion and society, of patterns of what comes to being a man and being a woman. The results showed that family and religion constitute a space of affection and acceptance for the youngsters, but also of regulation and discipline. This study also provoked reflections on the possibilities of interaction between the experiences of the youth and the school, aiming at educational processes based on dialogue and respect for diferences.