Diversidade sexual e de género: um estudo sobre as perceções de docentes do ensino secundário

Abstract

The present study intends to contribute to the knowledge and understanding of secondary school teachers perceptions and experiences of sexual and gender diversity in the school context, as well as the obstacles and facilities in their teaching practices, seeking an approach to how to improve the working conditions on these issues. To have a deeper knowledge of these perceptions implies recognizing the diversity in terms of personal and professional trajectories, and/or interests and needs, as well as understanding, reflecting and (re)thinking about forms of intervention that take into account these specificities of the teaching staff. It was in this sense this research was developed, and for that purpose three objectives were outlined: to know the perceptions that teachers have about the current and varied forms of expression and experience of sexuality and gender at school; to identify facilitating aspects and obstacles that they find in their teaching practices regarding difference and diversity in the context where they are inserted; to understand how to improve the conditions for welcoming and dealing with issues of sexual and gender diversity. The research was based on a qualitative methodology, using the in-depth interview, wich enables the understanding of the meanings and experiences that human beings create in interaction. The type of interview used was semi-structured, applied to 10 secondary school teachers from different schools in the city of Porto. The reserch results suggest that teachers are mostly aware of sexual and gender diversity. However, this dimension is still disconnected from Sex Education in the school environment, deeply linked to the biological aspects of sexuality and risk prevention. Lack of training, work overload and lack of support from peers and parents are the main obstacles pointed out by teachers in the work of Sexuality and Gender. Similarly, they consider training a fundamental prerequesite in working on these these issues.