Sexualidade, gênero e geração: significados e experiências de idosas na pós-menopausa

Abstract

In the contemporary western societies gender and sexuality have been targeted by heteronormative speeches that attribute strict roles to men and women, emphasize biological reproduction and dissymmetric relationships between and within genders – which corroborating with misconceptions about women’s sexuality after menopause. Elderly women have presented larger sexuality restrictions than men (less quality of life and reduced sexual interest), aspects that may contribute to the abandonment of their own sexual life. This study (that involves two researches with different goals, but articulated) aims to investigate the meanings and experiences attributed by elderly women with different levels of education to the gender and sexuality relations in intimate relationships (Study 1) and to sexuality after menopause (Study 2). These are exploratory researches of qualitative character and cross-sectional delineation. Two groups attending the Unit of Attention to the Elderly (UAI - Unidade de Atenção ao Idoso) in Uberaba/MG (Brazil), each with six participants (twelve in total), allocated according to the education level (incomplete elementary education and complete elementary education and others) and who have or have had a long-term intimate relationship. The data collection was based on individual, semi-structured interviews and notes and field diary. The interviews and notes were transcribed and analyzed according to the Thematic Content Analysis proposed by Turato based on the theoretical reference of non-essentialist, post-structuralist and Foucaultian authors and theories on sexuality and gender. The mains results indicates the elderly women regardless the education level did not receive enough information about sexuality and had a strict upbringing influenced by moral, religious, and traditional values. Such aspects generate repercussions in the intimate relationships and sexuality, such as misinformation, fear, shame, uncertainty and doubts. They also stated differences perceived between generations, highlighting the strangeness in face of the changes in the sexual behavior of the new generations (notwithstanding they had difficulties to accept the higher sexual freedom they also evaluated positively the feminine emancipation). In their speeches the naturalization of the dichotomy of roles in relationships by associating the feminine sexuality to the private sphere, care, maternity, reproduction, and satisfaction of the partner’s needs was evidenced. In addition, their meanings and experiences transited from traditional gender conceptions to questioning and dissatisfaction. The majority of interlocutors reflected on menopause as a period intrinsic to feminine aging that involves difficulties and physical, social and emotional transformations. Menopause was also characterized from diagnoses based on biological and physical factors. However, in postmenopause (in spite of the difficulties reported) menopause was not defined as a moment that is fundamental to sexuality. Reports lacked the scientific literature as they indicated that the relationship and sexuality underwent transformations, but they did not occur as a result of menopause. Finally, the figure of the specialists (mainly doctors) was present in the interlocutors’ reports related to the treatment of symptoms, the medicalization of sexuality and limited conversations about sexuality.