Brazilian adolescents’ conceptions of autonomy and parental authority

Thirty-two middle class and 32 lower class southern Brazilian pre-adolescent (M = 12.8 years) and adolescent (M = 15.7 years) participants were individually interviewed regarding their perceptions of who (adolescent or parent) should determine the adolescent's actions in cases where the parents and adolescent disagree over the action choice. Participants were also asked to provide views of how the dispute should be resolved. The issues in the interviews entailed conflicts between the personal privacy and autonomy of the adolescent and potential risks the actions posed. Results indicated that Brazilian adolescents make claims to autonomy and privacy, but are also receptive to the role of parental authority. This assertion of autonomy over personal issues increased with age. Negotiation rather than power assertion were preferred forms of resolution. There were social class and sex differences in responses regarding particular action choices.