ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE EDUCATION IN THE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT: ACCORDING TO THE PERCEPTION OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Abstract

The research in question addresses how the 
sexual and reproductive theme from 
Biology Teaching is experienced according 
to the perception and knowledge of high 
school students from a public school in the 
Brazilian Sertão. This investigation seeks to 
identify the knowledge and concerns of 
these students about sexual and 
reproductive health, as well as whether the 
educational methodologies experienced 
fulfilled their objectives according to the 
National Curriculum Parameters and the 
guidelines of the Ministry of Health. For 
this purpose, a bibliographic reference was 
used, obtained from the Scielo and Google 
Scholar databases, including books and the 
sexual orientation document proposed in 
the National Curriculum Parameters as a 
cross-cutting theme in school curricula. 
Regarding the methodological aspect, the 
research was of a mixed nature, that is, it is 
qualitative and quantitative, using data 
collection and field research with 28 
students from the 1st Year of High School. 
application of questionnaires, containing 
eight multiple choice questions and also 
through participant observation in Biology 
classes. Most students reported that they are 
sexually active and despite experiencing 
sex education actions at school, the results 
presented in the study point to the existing
misinformation among students regarding 
the theme of sexuality, the resistance of 
parents to approach this subject in the 
family and the need for pedagogical 
practices guided by reception. There is a 
necessary change of approach in the 
pedagogical activities of sex education, 
which favor information and education, 
through methodologies capable of meeting 
the existing demands on the subject. From 
this, there was a need to broaden the 
discussion on the subject both within the 
family and at school, aiming to break the 
prejudice, taboos and resistance that 
prevent, or hinder, this dialogue. The data 
showed that students need to be effectively 
educated to experience sexuality in a 
healthy, autonomous and responsible way.