On 23 July 1993, at night, a group of men fired on a group of over 50 street children who were sleeping in the surrounding area of the Candelária Church, in Rio de Janeiro city centre. Five children and one young adult were killed almost immediately, three others were kidnapped with fatal consequences for two of them. The remaining survived a shot on his face as the gang had left him for dead. Taking in sum, seven children and one young adult where killed in this episode. However the disgrace for the survivors did not stop that night, it is believed that 39 out of the children who used to sleep in Candelária by that time have died in a violent way (AI, 2003). This butchery was carried out by “death squads”, which mainly involved members of the Military Police of Rio, that is, those who are supposed to protect the civilians. Its “origin”, in words of the accused me, was some stones thrown at a police car. The Candelária slaughter has also become famous for being the first time that a Brazilian policeman is found guilty of murdering a street child (Csillag, 1996)
In the following pages I will try to explain the general situation of street children, and why they exist in Brazil, while making references to how psychological and criminological theories can explain their situation. However, first I will define “what” a street child is, and what are they major concerns [...]
Table of Contents
- Candelária Massacre
- Street Children in Brazil
- Violence Against Street Children
- The Role of “Death Squads”
- The Role of the Police
- Attitudes Towards Street Children
- The Legacy of Slavery
- Social Disorganization and Marginalized Areas
Objectives and Key Themes
This text explores the tragic situation of street children in Brazil, specifically focusing on the Candelária massacre and the violence they face. It examines the social, political, and economic factors that contribute to their vulnerability, including prejudice, poverty, and the role of "death squads" and the police.- The prevalence and social conditions of street children in Brazil
- The Candelária massacre as a case study of violence against street children
- The role of societal prejudice and negative stereotypes in perpetuating violence against street children
- The impact of poverty, lack of opportunity, and social disorganization on street children
- The complex relationship between the police, "death squads," and street children
Chapter Summaries
The text begins by recounting the horrific events of the Candelária massacre, where a group of street children were killed by "death squads" in 1993. It then delves into the broader context of street children in Brazil, defining the term and outlining the major challenges they face, including lack of education, healthcare, and security. The text also explores the common perception of street children as delinquents and the prevalence of violence against them, both from individuals and institutions. The text then examines the phenomenon of "death squads" and their motives, highlighting the role of economic interests and the negative societal attitudes towards street children. It analyzes the motivations behind police violence against street children, citing factors such as corruption, low salaries, and a culture of impunity. The text concludes by exploring the historical and social roots of prejudice against street children, linking it to the legacy of slavery and the challenges of rapid urbanization in Brazil. It also examines the theory of social disorganization and its role in explaining the concentration of violence in marginalized areas.Keywords
The text focuses on the following keywords: street children, violence, Candelária massacre, "death squads," police brutality, prejudice, social disorganization, poverty, Brazil, slavery, urbanization, social learning theory, rational choice theory, conflict theory, labelling theory.- Quote paper
- Marcos Alonso Rodriguez (Author), 2005, Candelária massacre. Prejudice towards Brazilian street children, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/277557
