WORKING GROUPS IN SEXUALITY EDUCATION FOR ADOLESCENTS: A CASE STUDY ON PERCEPTUAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BOYS AND GIRLS

Abstract

The purpose of this article was to present an experience report on the implementation of an outreach project focused on sexuality, with an emphasis on the different approaches adopted for female and male adolescents. Based on Pichon-Rivière’s operational group methodology, workshops on sexuality were conducted at a school in the Central-Western region of Minas Gerais. The activities took place every two weeks between August and December 2025, with the participation of 20 elementary school students, organized into groups separated by gender. The workshops were conducted by five nursing students under faculty supervision. Over the course of eight sessions, behavioral differences between the groups became evident. The adolescent girls were more shy but demonstrated greater closeness and interaction with one another. In contrast, the boys were more uninhibited, though more scattered. The application of strategies aligned with the groups’ interests and needs fostered the advancement of the adolescents’ knowledge and autonomy, enabling an active learning process and broadening their understanding of sexuality. In conclusion, the project required adaptations according to the needs of each group, with effective strategies for boys and girls that are fundamental to adolescents’ knowledge. The activities reinforce the importance of health education initiatives targeted at this audience.