[Sexual initiation, masculinity and health: narratives of young men]

Cien Saude Colet. 2009 Mar-Apr;14(2):653-60. doi: 10.1590/s1413-81232009000200034.
[Article in Portuguese]

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to analyze the narratives of young university students about the experience of sexual initiation. The theoretical and conceptual references used were the sexual scripts of our society that inform people about when, how, where and with whom they should have their sexual experiences, indicating how to act sexually and the reasons why they have to practice some kind of sexual activity. The method used was a qualitative study of narratives from the perspective of dialectic hermeneutics. The methodological design involves the comprehension of sceneries, contexts, environments and characters of the narratives about sexual initiation. The analysis refers to narratives of university students in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Among the meanings of sexual initiation, we emphasize sexual intercourse, the demarcation of a stage of life, the awakening to the opposite sex and the discovery of the body. We observed that the young men's narratives were coherent with what is considered masculine, present in the discourse of different generations. It is concluded that the young men should be encouraged to participate in actions combining health and education aimed at promotion of sexual and reproductive health.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Brazil
  • Coitus*
  • Gender Identity*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Sexuality*
  • Young Adult