Projecting life as a young girl: contributions of occupational social therapy

Abstract

The condition of women in our society has important implications in terms of hierarchy, asymmetry, discrimination, and inequality, limiting possibilities in the projection of life. Considering that being a young girl has implications that materialize in the experience of youth and in the dreams and projects that can be built at this stage, this research sought to understand dimensions of the lives of girls/women that are high school students that influence the projection of their lives, as well as the possible contributions of social occupational therapy in tackling this problem. For these objectives to be met, a participatory methodology was used, in the research-intervention modality, carried out in a public school, through the construction of a “Girls Club”, where Activities, Dynamics and Project Workshops were held. The results showed that social gender conventions permeate the relationship established between girls/women, their bodies and their daily lives; exposure to situations of violence since childhood and, when young, more evident in affective and/or sexual relationships; weaknesses and ruptures in family and friendship ties; consistent and protective support social networks, in particular, the non-recognition of the school as a component of this network; elements that permeate the construction of their life projects. It is discussed that social occupational therapy, through its social technologies, can contribute to confronting everyday problems resulting from the social construction related to being a girl/woman in expanding experiences with a view to autonomy and emancipation, as well as strengthening of support social networks and in confronting situations of violence.