Experiences of sexual initiation and gender inequalities among adolescents in a neighborhood of high social vulnerability in Salvador, Bahia State, Brazil

Abstract

Adolescence is a period marked by sexual discoveries and experiences, often influenced by gender norms and relations that produce hierarchies and inequalities. The aim of this study is to understand experiences of sexual initiation among adolescents in a low-income neighborhood in the city of Salvador, Bahia State, Brazil, from a gender perspective. A qualitative study was performed using data from the multicenter study entitled Contexts of Vulnerability to HIV among Young People from Lower Classes (Youth Spaces Project) conducted in five Brazilian capitals. Thirty-six individual interviews and four natural groups conducted in Salvador between May 2021 and May 2022 were analyzed. Empirical material was submitted to thematic content analysis, focusing on the categories gender, sexual initiation, sexual practices, and family context. The experiences of sexual initiation were diverse and influenced by social markers, especially gender. While girls reported greater concern with social judgments and emotional idealizations, boys experienced sexuality more freely, reinforcing expectations of hegemonic masculinity. Barriers to dialogue with the family limited access to qualified information on sexual and reproductive health. Gender inequalities structured sexual experiences in adolescence, contributing to the expansion of vulnerabilities and the limitation of access to sex education. The findings underscore the need for intersectoral public policies that promote an emancipatory approach to sexuality, with a focus on rights, diversity, and equity.

Keywords:
Sexuality; Adolescent Health; Gender Perspective; Reproductive Health; Sexually Transmitted Diseases