Exploring subjectivities of peace, violence, and power among the youth in Brazil

Abstract

AbstractBrazil is one of the most violent countries in the world, and the vast majority of victims of lethal violence are under 30 years of age. Given this context, it seems important to understand what the perceptions and experiences of young people are regarding peace, violence, and power. This article does this through a study of the views of 153 high school students in nine public institutions in three municipalities. Engaging with the debates on the “local turn” and on youth in peacebuilding, we show that young people, while embracing some values intrinsic to the influential “liberal peace discourse,” also express views that are critical of important assumptions that shape such discourse. Students also criticized entrenched dynamics of symbolic violence, such as machismo and racism, factors which affect their subjectivities of empowerment and agency. To reduce violence, participants reiterated the need to change values through critical (peace) education.