Youth and Social Markers of Difference in the State Youth Plans in Brazil

Abstract

The present research analyzes how youths are understood by documents that guide public policies for young people. The qualitative research used as a technique the documental analysis of State Plans for Youths of the 27 administrative regions in which Brazil is divided. Specifically, we analyze: 1) in which context the Plans were created; 2) who are the youths according to the Plan's guidelines; 3) which social cleavages matter for the public policies provided for in the Plans. The results indicate that: Youth Plans were developed especially under the influence of progressive  governments; they vary in terms of definitions of youth, ranging from a strictly legalistic delimitation to sociological considerations
and; highlight several social markers as landmarks for public policies aimed at young people.