Sexualidade, gênero e pedagogias culturais: representações e problematizações em contexto escolar

Abstract

This research was undertaken from a course of Sexuality Education, part of the diversified component of the school curriculum in the 9th grade of elementary school at a public school in the city of Juiz de Fora - MG, Brazil. Sexuality and gender are taken in its broadest dimension, understood as historical, social and cultural constructions. The specific objectives aimed at identifying and analyzing sexuality and gender representations held by students as well as analyzing the content of sexuality and gender in this cultural pedagogies and their use in educational contexts. The qualitative methodology was taken for data collection, like participant observation, in which the researcher also served as a teacher of the course. Data analysis relied on content analysis of the students speech that were obtained from transcripts of classes activities, which were audio-recorded. Students written productions and media artifacts were also analyzed. The results indicated that the students maintain representations of sexuality as sexual practices. Gender relations were recognized as unequal and naturalized, even when differences and inequalities were attributed to social factors. The class discussions, however, allowed the reflection about the concept of sexuality as well as gender relations, promoting the incorporation of new elements for consideration. The cultural pedagogies, in general, present biologizing and essentialist notions about sexuality and gender, conveying stereotypical representations that deserve questioning in teaching contexts. The implications of the research refer to the contribution to the knowledge in the area, favoring the planning of teaching strategies in order to broaden the notion of sexuality and gender of the students, covering social and cultural aspects.