The family in the socio-educational system

This book presents the main discussions based on research that sought to analyse the involvement of families in the socio-educational process of adolescents deprived of their liberty. The study was conducted in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Norte (RN) and took place in complementary stages: the first phase consisted of visits to socio-educational units for deprived adolescents and dialogues with professionals working in socio-education. Subsequently an action research stage was carried out which aimed to strengthen the monitoring of the socio-education of adolescents by their families using discussion groups and thematic workshops as its methodology. Finally references to the family in the Individual Care Plan (PIA) of fifteen adolescents were read and analysed with family members participating in the discussion group stage. The information collected was recorded in field diaries. This research was guided by the Marxian theoretical framework which is based on the understanding of adolescents' involvement in criminal acts as an unfolding and expression of the 'social question.'