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
1. Introduction
2. Definition and Context of Street Children
3. Violence and Gang Involvement
4. Institutional Violence and Police Conduct
5. Sociological Perspectives on Criminality and Prejudice
6. Historical and Economic Factors
7. The Candelária Massacre and Social Impact
Objectives and Key Themes
The paper examines the socio-criminological reality of street children in Brazil, focusing specifically on the structural and institutional violence they endure. It seeks to analyze the origins of societal prejudice against these children, the role of death squads, and the systemic factors—ranging from historical legacies to economic inequality—that perpetuate a state of impunity and criminalization of youth.
- The impact of institutionalized violence and police corruption on street children.
- Sociological theories of crime, including Social Learning and Conflict Theory, as applied to the Brazilian context.
- The psychological dimensions of prejudice and the "outgroup homogeneity effect."
- Historical and economic foundations of urban poverty and social marginalization.
- The significance of the Candelária massacre as a catalyst for human rights discourse.
Excerpt from the Book
Candelária massacre. Prejudice towards Brazilian street children.
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
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the tragic events of the 1993 Candelária massacre and sets the scope for the analysis of the living conditions of street children in Brazil.
2. Definition and Context of Street Children: This section defines the term "street child" according to UN standards and outlines their basic socio-economic challenges, including lack of education and safety.
3. Violence and Gang Involvement: This chapter analyzes the survival strategies of street children, specifically their involvement in drug gangs and the risks associated with peer-to-peer violence.
4. Institutional Violence and Police Conduct: This section investigates the role of military police and death squads in committing violence against youth, utilizing Social Learning Theory to explain the persistence of these behaviors.
5. Sociological Perspectives on Criminality and Prejudice: This chapter explores how Conflict and Labelling theories, as well as Milgram's obedience research, explain the societal indifference toward the victimization of the poor.
6. Historical and Economic Factors: This section connects current issues to Brazil's history of slavery, rapid urbanization, and the resulting creation of marginalized shanty-towns.
7. The Candelária Massacre and Social Impact: The final chapter reflects on the massacre as a turning point for legal reform, while remaining critical of the continuing state of impunity.
Keywords
Candelária massacre, street children, Brazil, institutional violence, police brutality, death squads, social prejudice, criminology, Social Learning Theory, conflict theory, human rights, impunity, marginalization, urbanization, child welfare.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this research paper?
The paper explores the systemic violence and societal prejudice faced by street children in Brazil, with a focus on the tragic 1993 Candelária massacre.
What are the central thematic fields covered?
The study covers institutionalized violence, police corruption, criminological theory, socio-economic inequality, and the psychological roots of prejudice.
What is the primary objective of the work?
The primary goal is to explain why street children exist in Brazil and how various sociological and psychological factors contribute to their ongoing victimization and systemic marginalization.
Which scientific methods or frameworks are utilized?
The author applies criminological frameworks such as Social Learning Theory, Conflict Theory, Radical Criminology, and Labelling Theory to analyze the behavioral patterns of police, businessmen, and society.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body examines the definition of street children, the role of gangs, police violence, the influence of historical socio-political contexts, and the ambiguity of governmental responses.
Which keywords best characterize this publication?
Key terms include Candelária massacre, street children, institutional violence, police brutality, social prejudice, and human rights.
How does the author explain the police involvement in violence?
The author utilizes Bandura’s Social Learning Theory, suggesting that corruption and violence are learned behaviors reinforced by a lack of political accountability and existing mental "guides."
What role does the historical context play in the current situation?
The author argues that current attitudes toward street children are a legacy of Brazil's slave society, coupled with the displacement caused by rapid, unplanned urbanization.
Does the author conclude that the situation has improved significantly?
The author maintains a pessimistic view, noting that while some legal regulations have changed, the fundamental "evil" categorization of these children by society remains unchanged, leading to continued impunity.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Marcos Alonso Rodriguez (Autor:in), 2005, Candelária massacre. Prejudice towards Brazilian street children, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/277557
