This paper aims to analyze the structure of social representation of sexuality for adolescents. With a qualitative nature, was developed with 746 young people from two public schools in Rio de Janeiro. Data were collected through free evocations about the term inducer "sexuality" and analyzed by the software EVOC 2003. The set of subject presents a positive representational structure, including attitudinal dimensions, values and imagery. Negative aspects appear on the periphery showing a family dimension and consequences. Comparing the structure of representations by sex, it is observed that are similar, especially by the presence of elements as "good", "condom" and "prevention". The specificity of the female group appears emphasizing the attitudinal dimension, while the male group is distinguished by a combination of sexuality to the sexual act. We conclude that the representations are linked to behaviors adopted front of sexuality and its recovery as well as the existence of transversal dimensions to the various structures.
Sexuality; Adolescent Health; Qualitative Research; Nursing
