El ejercicio de la sexualidad femenina y la estigmatización social en el contexto de la ciudad de Machala, año 2021

Abstract

This research seeks to determine the effects of the social stigmatization of the exercise of female sexuality in the cultural and social context of the city of Machala. This problem arises due to the gender inequality promulgated in a patriarchal society, in which greater benefits are provided to men than women. The myths and taboos that are promulgated tend to limit female sexual freedom, negatively labeling women who do not meet established social and moral standards. The specific objectives aim to identify the main myths that society has transmitted about female sexuality, describe the mechanisms adopted for the transmission of myths around female sexuality, identify the perspectives of women from Machala, in relation to their generation, on the exercise of their sexuality; and identify the mechanisms and strategies that contribute to the deconstruction of stereotypes and prejudices, to propose possible actions for change. In this way, it is expected to obtain a greater understanding of the problem, from the identification of the myths, stigmas, taboos, stereotypes and prejudices that surround female sexuality, the mechanisms that are used for its naturalization, the social perspectives of women and even the strategies of deconstruction of the same, which helped to raise ideas of proposal related to the subject. The epistemological approach corresponds to the inductive empirical with two types of research, descriptive and diagnostic – propositional, in addition to a qualitative methodology. In addition, the techniques and instruments applied in the work are interviews, carried out with professionals related to the subject and knowledgeable about the reality of Machala, and focus groups, aimed at exposing the reality of women in the city from different perspectives, including age and socioeconomic situation. In the results of this research, it was evidenced that in the opinions and comments of women participating in the focus groups, stigmas, taboos, stereotypes, myths and prejudices are part of their daily lives, as they have been naturalized by different sociocultural factors. It is understood that the generation, parenting style and social context influences the creation and conservation of all these ideas, induced by machismo within the patriarchal system. However, it is also palpable how a process of social and cultural transformation is being gone through for younger women, as it is remarkable how the liberation and feminine empowerment of the body is beginning to take some prominence in their thoughts. In the same vein, the professionals interviewed explain how this problem is part of the sociocultural, as a result of the great ignorance, fear and shame that has formed around women and their sexuality, as well as the dissemination of the media and entertainment that give way to the transmission and conservation of these myths. Given the reality that women live daily, the proposal entitled Action Plan. Female Sexualit Because you have the right to know and decide was proposed, which focuses on the realization of workshops focused on imparting knowledge about sexuality to women, as well as on the execution of a massive campaign aimed at the population of Machala in general, to raise awareness about the importance of respect. The general objective of the proposal is to promote the integral recognition of female sexuality without prejudice or stereotypes, through an action plan aimed at empowering women over their bodies and the ability to decide, breaking traditional conceptions.