Youth, violence, and school: An analysis of the relationships among peer groups in two Argentinean High Schools

Abstract

This paper aims at studying the symbolic construction of the definition of a "violent student" from the perspective of High School students within their school. Students' in-depth interviews were carried out in two urban and public High Schools in the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, by the end of the year 2009. This definition also includes certain forms of sociability among different peer groups, which transcend violent behavior. We conclude that factors such as physical appearance, school performance and values also contribute to build the perception of a "violent student". The adjective "violent" - used as a social stigma - becomes itself an action that violates and denies the subjectivity of the group under study.