Text analysis of the critical areas narrated by the adolescent users of an orientation service

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The characterization in the discursive space of 27 users of the "Consultorio Juvenil"(young peoples' clinic), their critical areas with regard to themes, actors, actions, values and situational perception schemes. METHOD: Qualitative study with the use of semiotic analysis. Analysis was made in three steps: description of manifest text structure; codification in the quest for isotopyes and internal organization analysis. RESULTS: There is clear differentiation between themes and means by gender; girls are more fully integrated into intrafamily relationships and boys into extrafamily ones. Formal engagement is a central theme for young women, while sexuality is for young men. In women a moral situation exercises influence over ethical criteria in the making of decisions; men show an individualist ethic. Both perceive problems as external, foreign to them, as part of their fate. CONCLUSIONS: Social gender formation influences the critical areas, creating myths and behavior stereotypes. The tendency to see the problem as imposed can signify a health risk for adolescents.