Dating and Feminine Involvement with Infractional Acts: a multiples case-study

Abstract

The present study dedicates itself to analyze the life and amorous relationship aspects of teenagers in socio-educative confinement in a socio-educational facility that were apprehended with their partners, in order to comprehend the mechanisms that would cause risk for the commission of infractional acts. Multiples case-studies were carried out with three adolescents that were apprehended along with amorous partners. The data were collected through narrative interview and analyzed making use of the thematic analysis. Data analysis favored a developmental reading of the phenomenon based on the assumptions of the Attachment Theory. The main finding refers to the importance of escape from home in determining the risk for the involvement with infractional acts with an amorous partner. The escape from home led to the weakening of bonds with parental figures and with schooling. The transition to adolescence, the risk behavior, the attraction for a partner involved with the unlawfulness, and the influence of the partner relate to the escape from home, motivating it or giving context to its maintenance. The strengthening of public polices for the protection of children and adolescents is fundamental for the prevention of risk behaviors and involvement with infractional acts.