Perceptions of adolescent women regarding gender diferences: a descriptive study

Abstract

Aims:To understand the perceptions and meanings of being an adolescent woman in our society and to reflect upon the sociocultural construction of these women. Method: This is a field descriptive study, in which a qualitative approach was used, carried out in a public school in Rio Grande do Sul. Nine adolescent women participated in the study. Data collection occurred in June and July 2012 by means of focus groups.For data analysis we used thematic analysis. Result: Relations that teenagers have about sexuality, their condition as women, and the treatment they receive from family and society have emerged. Discussion:Great influence of gender on sexuality was found, and it was confirmed that adolescents bring their practices based on their socio-cultural backgrounds and relationships with regard to gender inequality, prejudice and social hierarchy. Conclusion: It is important for nurses to know the meanings attributed by adolescents to issues such as gender and sexuality, so that nurses can contribute to effective and contextualized strategies.

Adolescentes que vivem com HIV/aids: experiências de sexualidade

“…Such disciplinary discourses, focusing on gender issues, have also been noticed in a research conducted with adolescent girls in the south of Brazil (14) , in which teenagers reported that their families treated sexuality very differently when talking to boys than they did when talking to girls. That implies in a higher level of control and regulation exerted by parents to adolescent girls, in addition to giving less freedom to them in daily activities.…”