Discourses of boys about masculinity in school settings. A pilot study

Abstract

This pilot study presents and describes the discourses of boys in school settings in order to analyze the role of sexism and homophobia in the construction of masculinity. The methodology used was ethnographic microanalysis. For this we use the techniques of participant observation to analyze the interactions that occur in selected schools and semi-structured interviews to analyze the speech of 12 boys aged 10 to 12 years from three Primary Schools in Seville. The discourse analysis has focused on the meanings and emotions that children associate to certain practices. The discourse analysis shows how social control exercised by fellow, model interpretations and evaluations of the practices associated with masculinity. Our work shows how early sexism and homophobia are active axes in formulating rules about "being a man", so we recommend the implementation of coeducational programs from primary education.