History of childhood violence in the perspective of pregnant adolescents

Abstract

The present study had the aim to describe violence experienced during childhood through the story of pregnant adolescents. We used oral history, conducting semi-structured interviews with five adolescents with a history of violence, residents in a city in the state of Bahia, Brazil, between March and May, 2011. The data were organized and categorized according to content analysis, generating four thematic categories. The results indicate that the adolescent’s childhood was permeated by violent experiences, expressed as negligence and moral, psychological, physical, and sexual violence. The analysis of these adolescent’s stories led to a reflection about the importance of sensitizing professionals who work with education and health care so that they can recognize experiences of domestic violence and can articulate themselves so as to face up to the problem.

doi: 10.5216/ree.v16i3.22109.