REPRESENTATIONS OF NURSING STUDENTS ABOUT SEXUALITY: BETWEEN STEREOTYPES AND TABOOS

Abstract Considering sexuality as a fundamental part of human life, the present study had the goal of understanding how Nursing students represent sexuality. We chose to make a qualitative research based on the Social Representation theory. The study sample was composed of undergraduate Nursing students enrolled in a public institution. The data collection was performed with the aid of the IRaMuTeQ software, version 0.7 alpha 2, and it was based on Content Analysis. Sexua-lity was represented as something that should remain hidden both in the context of school and within the family. Even though their training was a factor that contributed to their change in conception about sexua-lity, feelings such as shame and shyness were present during the practices of the students, which verified that the representations are based on stereotypes and taboos. Thus, there is a visible need for more spaces for discussions within the university and within society, but discussions that understand the practice, and are not limited to theory.