Sexualidade na pós-modernidade: percepções existentes em relação a amizade com benefícios na cidade de Maputo

Abstract

This research addressed the perceptions surrounding friends with benefits in the city of Maputo, with the aim of understanding how practitioners of this practice perceive it, describing their sociodemographic profile, identifying the elements that promote it, and analyzing how they deal with the positions of their families. The interest in the topic arose from observing the diverse perspectives on contemporary sexuality and the need to explore this practice, which is often viewed through both negative and positive lenses. The investigation was grounded in postmodernity theories, particularly Bauman's (2004) concept of "liquid modernity," which discusses the flexibility of contemporary relationships and emphasizes individual autonomy. The study was conducted through a qualitative research approach involving eight participants aged between 23 and 26 years, residing in Maputo. The results revealed that friends with benefits are perceived as a way to explore sexuality in an uncomplicated manner, promoting freedom and independence, while simultaneously raising concerns about the superficiality of relationships and potential emotional confusion. Participants reported the influence of cultural traditions, globalization, and transformations in relational expectations on their perceptions. Although the practice of friends with benefits is viewed as an expression of relational fluidity and personal choices, it also carries emotional and social challenges, especially in a context where traditional relationship norms still prevail.