Historical categories of childhood in Brazil's legal frameworks

Abstract

This paper presents a critical analysis of the evolution of the concept of childhood in Brazil from the colonial period to the promulgation of the 1988 Federal Constitution. The analysis identifies the conceptions of childhood that have been used to define and implement various legal frameworks throughout history. This study used documentary research alongside contributions from the Sociology of Childhood. It can be seen that each historical period has its own peculiarities in understanding the place and meaning of what it means to be a child, with social and epistemic cutouts and characteristic ideological deviations that directly affected the social and scientific concept of childhood in each period. In this way, it was clear that tensions arose between the concept and legal frameworks established and the different conditions of the social groups of children. However, we can see a gradual overcoming of patriarchal, racist and segregating views of children, to the point of formalizing frameworks that promote an integral vision in line with the universal and specific needs of this sector of the population.