VIOLENCE FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF PUBLIC-SCHOOL ADOLESCENTS

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the perception of adolescent students in public education, of both genders, regarding violence. Methodology: Qualitative study, using the focus group technique. The research was conducted with female and male adolescents in a public school located in the periphery of a city in the interior of São Paulo. The groups took place during class periods, with an average of six adolescents by group. Testimonials were collected using a digital device by two undergraduate students, and transcribed in full and submitted to content analysis. Results and Discussion: The adolescents' discourses, after the researchers' analysis of the exposed perceptions, were grouped into categories, which were explained in this research. These categories were: Category 1 - Naturalization of violence; Category 2 - Impunity in relation to violence; Category 3 - Failure to understand psychological violence; Category 4 - Violence and the media effect and Category 5 - Violence perpetrated in school. Final considerations: The results obtained through this study showed that adolescents from public schools, specifically from lower social classes, when perceiving violence as physical, verbal and sexual, have already witnessed some type of violence in life. Thus, it becomes clear that violence is not only manifested in relations between social classes, it permeates youth in interpersonal relations, gender relations, daily relations, family relations and many others.