O ato infracional segundo adolescentes em conflito com a lei e suas mães

Abstract

This paper appraises the social paths and life experiences of nine juveniles, who served a social-educative term under probation in 2007, and their mothers. Based on the notion that crime is a social construct (definition) and not a mere law-breaking behavior, this study aims at assessing how the youngsters themselves, and their parents, conceptualize the engagement in illegal activities, the sentencing process, and the role of the judicial system. Semi-structured questionnaire oriented interviews were used for data gathering. Altogether eighteen interviews were accomplished in three areas of the Attended Freedom Program in the city of Juiz de Fora, Minais Gerais. One of the main results suggests that the deviant status has become the chief social reference for some of the young respondents.