The aim of this descriptive exploratory study based on a qualitative approach was to investigate the perception of caretakers of an Infantile Education Institution and of teachers of a Primary School regarding the concept of violence, as well as the conduct adopted by them in relation to violent situations against children and adolescents. The data were collected in August of 2004 through a semi-structured interview, which was recorded and subsequently transcribed. The ethical precepts of the Resolution 196/96 were followed. It was verified that the informants recognize physical and psychological violence in the interaction between family and children, as well as between children themselves, referring to negligence as a form of violence. As for the performance of the caretakers and teachers, a naturalization of violence was noticed. The study offers subsidies for nursing performance in relation to situations of violence against children and adolescents in educational institutions and presents the Nursing Consultation as a methodological instrument capable of subsidizing the conducts to be adopted.
Violence; School health; Child rearing; Nursing care