Experiment and learning in the affective and sexual life of young women from a favela in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with experience of clandestine abortion.

Wendell Ferrari,Simone Peres,Marcos Nascimento

doi:10.1590/1413-81232018239.11312018

Wendell Ferrari, Simone Peres + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232018239.11312018

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Abstract

This paper discusses the topic of first sexual intercourse in adolescence focusing on the course of ten young girls with experience of induced abortion living in a favela in Rio de Janeiro. The analysis uses the description of the process of entry into sexuality as a strategy to elucidate the context of pregnancy and the first clandestine abortion in the affective-sexual path of girls interviewed. The first sexual intercourse is a realm of sexuality and social life involving socialization, interpretation of rules and meanings, system of attitudes, ways of approximation, control and modeling of affections, emotions and gender relationships. The results showed that the age difference between couples in sexual initiation is significant, clarifying the context in which decisions on contraceptive methods, pregnancy and abortion were held. We noted that adolescents subject to difficult decisions about their sexuality and reproduction at a time of life where they still lack sexual and reproductive experience. The data collected show the importance of strengthening of public policies, discussions on gender and adolescent sexual and reproductive rights in many spheres of society, such as schools, family and other institutions.

Highlights

Youth sexuality emerges as one of the spheres to acquire individual autonomy in relation to the most relevant family of origin in modern times
First sexual intercourse is a fundamental part of the course of the subjects, precisely because it involves the learning of sexuality for the progressive autonomy of young people to ensure their transition to adult life and to situate them within the framework of gender relationships[1,3,4,5,6,7]
This paper aims to discuss this issue, considering induced and clandestine abortion as an important event occurred in the first sexual intercourse of young people, under the bias of the place and the meaning of its accomplishment in the course of those who chose to assume it during the learning of sexuality and in the process of empowering the family of origin

Summary

Introduction

Youth sexuality emerges as one of the spheres to acquire individual autonomy in relation to the most relevant family of origin in modern times. The construction of autonomy and identity during this period rests largely on the establishment of a private sphere by setting relationships that transcend family and school, since relationships with peer groups and love and sexual relationships have become young people’s gateway[1] The construction of this private learning space involves knowledge and use of the social and symbolic rules of interaction between partners, initiating teenage love and sexual courses[2]. This moment is complicated and multifaceted, implying a progressive mastery of social rules and exposure of feelings, affections, desire, touch, body contact and sexual exercise[3]. A certain concept of sexuality is at stake at the moment of entering a sexual life with a partner, bringing with it evidence and modulating elements of the construction of subjectivity[3]

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