This is a qualitative study aiming to examine the levels of violence in different social contexts and the ways violence appears daily in schools, starting from statements of youths and educators in public and private schools in three Brazilian municipalities - Iguatu (CE); Juiz de Fora (MG) and Campinas (SP). It surveyed the sense attributed to the practice of violence, as carrying firearms in the school environment, and the interrelationship between these practices and the institutions that carry out the role of socializing the youths: school and family. Given the importance that they have today, the media in society, above all television, also attempt to reflect on new strategies for combating violence starting from its meeting point with daily schoolwork. The conclusion is that the role of the school and the family as advantaged sources of mediation enables wide performance in the field of violence prevention. But these institutions need to work together, seeking mainly to establish a respectful relationship with the young people. As to the role of the media, the need was clear for the school to work as mediator in the critical evaluation of the violent contents broadcast by the media.
violence; schools; firearm; adolescent; television; prevention