The present paper discusses and analyzes violence in the relationships of young adults from poor and middle-class backgrounds in the city of Recife, Brazil. The argument made is that violence is not from the boyfriend or girlfriend, but rather from the relationship, for which meanings are presented. Twenty-two semi-structured interviews were held with young adults between 18 and 29 years old in romantic relationships and divided into lower class and middle class groups. The interviewees understood violence as more than just physical, but did not recognize prohibitions, control and the curtailment of the partner's freedom as violence. The same was true regarding the exchange of cursing or slapping, which is often seen as play.
violence; relationship; youth