Adolescents and homosexuality: Social representations and social identity

Abstract

The research aims to identify how adolescents comprehend homosexuality in their social context. It articulates two theories: Social Representations, Social Identity. Methodologically, semi-structured questionnaires were applied to adolescents from public and private schools. The data was analyzed by software Alceste. The results show the presence of positive and negative elements in the social representation of homosexuality. The formation process of social representation is associated to the identity process formation. Social representation configuration is related to: fear provoked by social objects considered different from the established pattern; attempt to retake the sense of order and control over the world; values and beliefs present in the society history: social position of social groups and the gains that can come from the intergroup social relationship.