I became a man!: the construction of masculinities for adolescent participants of a project for the promotion of sexual and reproductive health

Abstract

This study aimed to discuss the construction of "masculinities" in the discourse of adolescents participating in a sexual and reproductive health promotion project, carried out in a public school in Recife (PE) with 24 male adolescents enrolled in the 8th and 9th years of the Middle School. Through a qualitative approach, data collected through audio recording on digital equipment and with the par ticipant observation technique, with the use of a field journal, underwent thematic content analysis. Data analysis resulted in three thematic categories. In the category "Perceptions of the male body", we observed that adolescents needed concrete and visible aspects to assimilate the transformation of the body, with difficulty and initial resistance to discuss their own body. In the category "Gender and masculinities", the adolescents had a limitation in the understanding of gender relations and the conception of sexuality, basing themselves in dif ferent experiences for men and women, permeated by cultural constructions. In the category "Parent hood and masculinities", adolescents indicated that paternity conceptions have been transformed and involve different models of fatherhood. From this, it is inferred that the different constructions concern ing masculinities are related to the life experiences of adolescents and can have significant implications in the way of experiencing sexual and reproductive health. It has become relevant the demystification of these constructions, as well as the participation of health professionals to contextualize the actions of health promotion and education.