Retratos de jovens: uma aproximação da violência vivida por jovens de Diadema

Abstract

Objective: The objective in this research is to ascertain social implications and individual perceptions in relation to what violence means to youngsters of low-income classes in Diadema City, São Paulo State, Brazil. Method: We used Vigotski's theoretical-methodological in Social-Historical Psychology, as well as fundamentals of dialetical historical materialism in Qualitative Epistemology proposed by González Rey. This research attempts to expose root causes, developing an interactive process that stresses the importance of relationships among all subjects who interact in the investigation, including those between researcher and subject(s)and among subjects themselves. We analyzed a theatrical play created and produced by a group of youth from Diadema City. This play was chosen for two reasons: firstly, for its theme, focused on the daily life and violence experienced by youngsters in the outskirts of the city. Secondly, for the way the play was produced brought further insight: these youngsters, as a group, developed plot, characters,and dialogue.We interviewed two members of this theatrical group. We attempted to get a clear sense of their personal views of the play; also, we wanted to clarify some aspects highlighting social and personal view points attributed to their experiences with violence. We realized violence permeates the lives of these youngsters but not in a general way. They perceive violence personally, which varies according to individual life experience. First, when asked what violence meant, the answer was: death. Our conclusion was that these youth develop tolerance to violent episodes which desensitize them, leaving them unable to perceive many situations as violent. In this study it was possible to identify some common values that provoked violence: consumerism appeal, social inequality, gender inequality, social-economic difficulties. Life on the street does not help: the option for crime as a way of life and involvement with drugs become means to acquire power and be seen as powerful people. Also, fragility of affectionate relationships,moral values conflicts, social stigmatization, and living under fear are among olher consequences of violence. Although each individual views violence differently, there is a common affectionate-volitive element: the need of being acknowledged and valued as empowered individuals. Violence can be understood as the language they use to denounce the situation they live and to indicate the need of social transformation. Although these youngsters reproduce the violence they live, they use their creativity to recreate themselves and transform violence in action power