MASCULINITIES AND HEALTH: NARRATIVES (CO)CONSTRUCTED BY YOUNG PEOPLE FROM A PUBLIC SCHOOL IN THE AGRESTE REGION OF PERNAMBUCO

Abstract

The present study analyzes the meanings of masculinities and their implications on health practices among adolescents from a state public school in the agreste region of Pernambuco, which had as a research question: How do the (co)produced meanings about masculinities interact with adolescent health care practices? Thus, the general objective was to analyze the meanings of masculinities that circulate among adolescent male students of a state public school in the agreste region of Pernambuco. The methodology used was qualitative, based on social constructionism, it included as methodological steps an initial bibliographic review, followed by observations in the school daily life and conversation circle with the students, All these steps were recorded in the research diaries. The results indicated that adolescents produced and (re)produced, but also questioned, norms of hegemonic masculinity that influence their care practices. The conversation circle evidenced internal conflicts and social pressures related to gender expectations, a fact that impacts behaviors such as the search for health services and practices said to be masculine. It is concluded that the school environment is a strategic space to foster criticism about gender and health, in the search to (co)construct meanings about masculinities, in order to think about the deconstruction of stereotypes and the promotion of inclusive practices that provide health promotion.