Ballroom dancing teaching at school physical education: focus on sexual orientation

Culturally recognized in differents Brazilian regions, ballroom dancing is particular since it is performed with a partner, showing the approximation of bodies and the expansion of interpersonal relationships. So, this study aims at analyzing the ballroom dancing teaching into the Sexual Orientation as a transversal issue from the perspective of students in Physical Education classes. From a qualitative approach, based on action research, ten double classes were implemented and analyzed for a 9th grade class of elementary school at a school in the interior of the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. It seems that the students showed lack of interest in learning dances and incipient understandings about the gender discussion. Pointedly, the girls expressed fear of being upset by sexist and prejudiced comments. Although respect is presented as a primary value for learning dances, in general, the group has not recognized the problems intrinsic to the topic of discussion. This fact can hinder the deconstruction towards the construction of new meanings. The study shows that the treatment of Sexual Orientation can be linked to dance teaching. In order to overcome discriminatory behaviour at school, an articulated plan and action strategies are required.