Deafness and sexuality: the social representations of deaf students

This study aimed to identify and understand the social representations of deaf students regarding sexuality. This research had as theoretical contribution the Theory of Social Representations that allows elucidating the historical, cultural and political aspects that surround the subject and with this access the knowledge coming from the common sense. Ten deaf students were interviewed individually, in the Brazilian Sing Language (LIBRAS), through a semistructured script. The IRAMUTEQ Software was used to analyze the data using the Descending Hierarchical Classification (DHC). It was realized that the social representations of deaf students about sexuality are anchored to the care with sexual health, the sexual pleasure, the care with the appearance and in the relations of friendship and loving. This study identified the importance of accessible information for the deaf and the participation of the family and the school in the expansion of the knowledge on the subject in question.