The silent dialogue of bodies: representations of heterosexual couples about sexuality and their effects in the organizational context

Abstract

Sexuality in modern societies is assumed as a fundamental human dimension in personal achievement and in the maintenance of the marital relationship. However, this trend does not necessarily suggest that couples express their affections, desires, sexual behaviour and use their body in the same way. Adopting a constructionist perspective of sexuality, this study sought to understand which representations about sexuality and sexual practices underlie life in common. Using a qualitative approach of an eminently inductive, constructionist and interpretive nature, the semi-structured interview was conducted with heterosexual couples in order to perceive which argument was put forward to justify the adoption (or not) of different sexual practices. Among the main findings we emphasize the existence of a hedonistic and erotic view of sexuality that recognizes it as a means of obtaining pleasure, going beyond the aspects linked to procreation. The representations of sexuality guide us to a new configuration of the ways of living marital sex: we are witnessing a broadening of sexual practices, the promotion of values such as reciprocity, involvement and mutual pleasure and the discourses (and practices) include more egalitarian ideas among genders. Despite this, it appears that some sexual practices continue to be filtered by attitudes and behaviours that are regulated by marital status, by moral and religious values and social and sexual s gender representation that are deep-rooted in the Portuguese society.