Symbolic Gender Violence

Moral And Sexual Harassment In A Federal Institution Of Professional And Technological Education

Abstract

This research is inserted in Line II: Formative Processes in Technological Education, of the Technological Education Post Graduate Program (PPGET) of the Technological Education Federal Center of Minas Gerais (CEFET-MG). Studies in this line focus on work-education area issues in socioeconomic and political-cultural contexts, highlighting historical and cultural processes, the relationships between societal changes, formal and non-formal professional education, and the world of work. Based on theoretical contributions on the Sexual Division of Labor (HIRATA; KERGOAT, 2002) and Symbolic Violence (BOURDIEU, 1975, 2002, 2011), this research discusses symbolic gender violence, here characterized by moral and/or sexual harassment in the academic environment of a professional and technological educational federal institution. It’s sought to understand how symbolic gender violence manifests itself in this educational context. A bibliographical survey was developed on the themes discussed in books, thesis’ bases, dissertations and indexed articles. Then, semi-structured interviews were conducted, throughout remote means, with students from Professional and Technological Education - EPT (current or former), over the age of 18, who have experienced this type of violence, in addition to carrying out interviews with the course coordinators of all the levels involved (Technical, Undergraduate and Graduate). After collecting the data, an exegesis of the interviewees' speech excerpts was performed, by confronting those with the theoretical references studied, in order to interrelate empirical and theory. As a result, some reported forms of violence stood out, such as bad jokes, like referring to the lack of female capacity to accomplish laboratories practices. Speeches suggesting “this is not a woman's place”. Discrimination towards “hair types” that did not meet the “beauty standards” imposed by society, amongst others. It is expected that this research can lead to debate and reflection, inside and outside the technological education federal institutions, in addition to provoking change in the worldviews and behavior of all those involved in social causes, providing advance in gender equality in this educational segment.