Stereotype of paternity and gender identity in adolescents from Mexico City. Estereotipo de paternidad e identidad de género en adolescentes de la Ciudad de México.

Abstract

Social demands are supported in the roles of activities that are defined for men and women during childhood and they are accentuated at the start of sexual activity, which usually happens in the period of adolescence. For this reason, it is important to understand the relationship between the meanings of the concept of "sexuality" and those associated with work activity during this stage of life. This research seeks to discover the meanings attributed by adolescents in specific situations with their own particular language. We propose a qualitative perspective about the following topics: adolescent male stereotype, conceptualization of sexuality and parenthood. The study included the participation of 35 young men between 13 and 16 years of age, which were interviewed individually and in groups. After the analysis, were found various categories related to gender stereotypes, motherhood, parenting, life plan, and sexuality, among others. We also found that the execution of the roles is a key element in building the stereotype of gender, the gender identity and behavior. The stereotype of paternity is made of several positive and negative beliefs that influence the exercise of sexuality. There is not a positive attitude to fatherhood; however they accept it as a natural step which brings them certain benefits.