A Psychoanalysis for Subversion: Psychoanalytic Discourse on the ‘new Youth’ in Dictatorial Brazil (1964–1985)

Abstract

The political and cultural movements of youth played a central role in Brazilian society during the period of civil-military dictatorship (1964–1985) and became a privileged focus of attention of the State, as well as of psychoanalytic knowledge and practices. This chapter proposes a reflection on the psychoanalytic discourse about adolescence and youth behaviour, understanding it as an important tool to reveal the relation psychoanalysis established with its social context during this period. Drawing from narratives present in the psychoanalytic publications of the time, I highlight some of the theoretical concepts used to think about adolescence and its manifestations in society, such as youth protest, acting-out and generational conflict. The chapter seeks to show how psychoanalysis ended up neutralising and normalising adolescent protest.