YOUNG OFFENDERS: A COMPARISON BETWEEN BRAZIL AND CANADA

Authors

  • Alex Eduardo Gallo Universidade Federal de São Carlos
  • Lucia C. de Albuquerque Williams Universidade Federal de São Carlos

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5380/rfdufpr.v49i0.7254

Keywords:

Criminal behavior, Young offenders, Multiculturalism, Ato infracional, Adolescente em conflito com a lei, Multiculturalismo

Abstract

This study characterized 123 adolescents on probation and community services in a
mid-size Brazilian city compared to 100 adolescents referred for assessment in a reference centre
located in a mid-size city in Canada, aiming at identifying possible correlations between observed
variables in a multicultural context. Data, in both countries, were collected in a survey design and major
results were: 87.8% were male (71% in Canada), having an age average of 15.9 years (15.7 in Canada).
In regards to crimes, theft was the most common one in Brazil (36.7%), followed by robbery (15.4%),
and drug dealing (9%); in Canada sexual offenses were the most common offense (23%), followed by
fail to comply with probation (20%), and assault (12%). In Brazil, 60.2% of adolescents did not go to
school, and 61.8% had only an elementary degree; in Canada all adolescents attended school and half
of the sample was in High School. In both Brazilian and Canadian samples the majority of youngsters
lived with their mothers, in a single-parent family. Brazilian mother’s most common occupation was
housemaid (28.4%), while Canadian mothers were factory workers (10.2%). The results suggest: a)
Canadian culture determines sexual innuendos and grabbing buttocks as crimes and, thus sexual
offenses were most common in that country, in the whereas Brazilian culture these are not considered
as part of the justice system; b) Brazilian youth dropped out of school very early while Canadian schools
offered a variety of programs to avoid school evasion, as Special Education since the problem was
identified, including behavior management programs for aggressive students, conflict resolution, and
a curriculum guided directed to the country’s multi-ethnic background.

Author Biographies

Alex Eduardo Gallo, Universidade Federal de São Carlos

Departamento de Psicologia

Lucia C. de Albuquerque Williams, Universidade Federal de São Carlos

Professora Titular

Departamento de Psicologia

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How to Cite

Gallo, A. E., & Williams, L. C. de A. (2009). YOUNG OFFENDERS: A COMPARISON BETWEEN BRAZIL AND CANADA. Revista Da Faculdade De Direito UFPR, 49. https://doi.org/10.5380/rfdufpr.v49i0.7254

Issue

Vol. 49 No. 0 (2009)

Section

Doutrina Estrangeira

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