Educators' perspective on adolescent sexuality: possible education practices

Abstract

This is a qualitative research carried out with 23 educators of public schools in the west of the state of Santa Catarina in 2012. It aimed at identifying their perspective on adolescence and sexuality and strategies to approach the theme. Data was collected using the Sensitive and Creative Method and analysed through thematic content analysis via two different categories: educators' perception on adolescence and sexuality and the strategies used to approach the subject in schools. Teachers regard sexual education a complex and difficult issue and are usually afraid and poorly prepared to deal with it. Furthermore teachers' perceptions differ on the relationship between that development stage and sexuality. While some use traditional methodologies, others adopt a participatory and dialogue-based strategy. We conclude that adolescent sexuality in school is still incipient; it is centred on traditional concepts emphasizing its biological aspects. Introduction of cross-cutting themes is challenging.