Como nossos pais? Gerações, sexualidade masculina e autocuidado

Abstract

This paper aims to examine the relationship between the meanings of male sexuality and how male individuals from two different generations take care of their health. We sought to identify whether there were changes regarding the standing of these men in relation to health care, and whether these changes were influenced by generation gaps. The study is anchored in two theoretical conceptual frameworks: generation and sexual script. We used the narrative analysis methodology, and the sources of this study are part of two surveys conducted in Rio de Janeiro with men of higher education as well as university students, whose sexual initiation occurred during the 1970's and 1990's, respectively. The results show that the subjects are currently facing an inadequate male's social model in conjunction with the new social demands from the females, therefore seeking a new model for themselves. During this study, both permanent and changing patterns of hegemonic masculinity were noted to be related to how men take care of their own health.