From an unidimensional perspective, the tendency of social institutions has been to ensure the survival of children and adolescents, just taking care of organic problems, but neglecting psychological, social and environmental aspects. Our research-intervention work in a deprived neighbourhood of Natal, RN, allowed the identification of a life context permeated by the precariousness of infrastructure services, high rates of school drop-out, oppressive gender relationships and lack, for both sexes, of academic and professional perspectives and opportunities. Such situation limits the consolidation of life projects that transcend the insertion in the informal market and the performance of traditional sexual roles, generating a poverty reproduction cycle that tend to perpetuate itself. In this context, our work focus on ideas and values pervading the adolescent experience, among the target population and their families, as well as among the educational and health professionals working in this neighbourhood, including ourselves. This paper aims to elucidate the theoretical-conceptual framework, enabling the debate and the reflection not only about the problem itself, but also in regard to the professional practices of those working in this context.
adolescence; health; social context