Reflections on adolescence and health in the school environment

Abstract

Objective:to identify the approach to health issues and adolescence among adolescents of a Federal Technical School and discuss the issues raised by them during an educational program, encouraging thinking on how better to experience adolescence. Method: the study had as its theoretical methodological framework the research-action, undertaken at a federal school in Bom Jesus-PI, Brazil, in May and June 2010, with the participation of nine adolescents. Results: the results showed that the students attributed different meanings to adolescence, with an emphasis on the physical and psychological changes involved. They demonstrated doubts about this stage of life; they considered their colleagues to be their main source of information on adolescence and health, although they regarded the school as the most appropriate place to obtain such knowledge. Conclusion: the urgent need for teachers and school to engage in debates on questions related to adolescence and health is emphasized, since their school is where teenagers spend most of their time.