Understanding adolescent sexuality

Abstract

Sexuality is with us from womb to tomb. However it is displayed more during adolescence. In the attempt to direct attention to the phenomenon - "the adolescent, sexually speaking" - our object is to understand the way adolescents see the transformations taking place in their bodies and the issues that raise the most doubts about sexual activity and sexuality, describe how adolescents obtain information about contraceptive methods, sexual relations and how to avoid STDs. It is a qualitative survey using the phenomenological approach to analyze data. Subjects are middle school students from the Municipal School of Juiz de Fora in Minas Gerais. To collect the information, a questionnaire was answered by 103 young people. By means of ideographic analysis, two analysis categories were identified: sexuality during adolescence - my body says I am becoming different - vulnerability during adolescence - sexual relationships, happiness vis-à-vis risk. The survey results confirm the need for educational work on experiencing sexuality to be carried, as the adolescents showed interest in learning more, clearing their doubts up and being put out of their bewilderment.