Sexismo, papeis de gênero e compreensão de consentimento nas relações sexuais em adolescentes

Abstract

The present dissertation is divided into a theoretical section and an empirical section. In the theoretical section, the variables adolescence, sexuality, gender, sexism and consent in sexual relations are theoretically presented. In addition, it presents a review of empirical studies on these variables in adolescence. In the empirical section, the study carried out with the objective of evaluating relationships between sexism, gender conceptions and understanding of consent in sexual relations in adolescents is described. The specific objectives sought to investigate whether conceptions of gender and sexism are predictors of understanding consent in sexual relations; whether there are differences between boys and girls in understanding consent; and what are the signs identified for consent to sexual intercourse by adolescents. The study sample consists of 240 adolescents, boys and girls, between 16 and 19 years old. The data collection was online, using the qualtrics platform. Self-report scales were applied to assess sexism, gender and masculinity roles and a vignette that presented a situation of rape to investigate understanding of consent in sexual relations. The majority of the sample had low levels of sexism, gender equality beliefs and a good understanding of consent in sexual relations. Positive associations were identified between traditional gender views and sexism. Hostile sexism was a predictor of inadequate understanding of consent. There was a gender difference in understanding consent through the vignette analysis, with boys less identifying the situation as sexual violence. Finally, boys based the understanding of consent on non-verbal signs, while girls highlighted verbal consent as essential for the occurrence of sexual intercourse between peers. These results suggest the importance of developing interventions to promote gender equity, better understanding of consent and strategies for the prevention of abusive sexual behavior in adolescence.