Meaning of gender relations produced by adolescents of a public school

Abstract

The present study aimed to understand the meanings of gender relations produced by adolescents of a public school in Manaus-AM. The research was grounded on the approach of Socio-Historical Psychology in order to contribute to the discussion of gender based on the socially constructed relationship between the gender performances. The research adopted a qualitative exploratory approach and the instruments for data construction were participant observation and the focus group. The data analysis was grounded on the Meaning Core proposal. As research results, it was observed that the meanings of gender relations produced by the adolescents revealed a dialectical process of gender performances meanings based on heteronormative conceptions, as well as, more deconstructed on the masculine and feminine roles. That is, meanings that structure more normative conceptions of gender have been interacting with emancipatory discourses about the performances and produce structured meanings in the longings of more satisfactory contemporary relations. The discussions about relationships contribute to the production of meanings of more alternative, libertarian and creative relationships from the social, historical and cultural reflection of gender performances.