O que é ser homem?: Perspectivas de jovens rapazes de camadas médias e populares acerca da masculinidade

Abstract

This research had as a general objective to produce reflections on the matter of the masculinities, analyzing in conceptual and empirical terms, which are the symbols and the models of masculinity attributed to the "being man" by eight young men of middle and popular layers, respectively, inhabitants of urban / private school students and rural contexts / public school students, both located in the city of Erechim, Rio Grande do Sul. For this purpose, narratives were obtained through “focus groups”, a qualitative research method, which utilizes questions that would encourage these boys to talk about the subject. From the narratives, it was possible to draw points of similarity and differences between them, perceiving the main social influences in the identity construction of these subjects by listing legitimized aspects about masculinities, thus tracing a hegemonic model present in the imaginary of these participants. The results of this research showed the vast field that discussions about masculinities can yield, especially when articulating the issues of youth. These results allow the exercise of de naturalizing behaviors and stereotypes on young boys, which, in general, tends to reflect in their future.