Atitudes legais na explicação da delinquência juvenil: uma revisão da literatura em torno do processo de socialização legal

Patrícia Damas • Carla Cardoso • Samuel Moreira

Keywords

Legal socialization; procedural justice; legitimacy; legal cynicism; juvenile delinquency.

Abstract

In recent years, a great deal of attention has been given to the legal socialization process of children and adolescents, seeking to understand how different figures of legal and non-legal authority shape their attitudes towards legal institutions and authorities, as well as towards the law itself. Empirical research has demonstrated the importance of perceived procedural (in)justice of authorities when dealing with young people during their life-course in shaping these legal attitudes. In turn, these attitudes have been shown to impact youths’ behavior. 
Thus, it is suggested that the fairness of procedures during interactions with youths should act as a primary concern for a variety of authorities, given its crucial influence on young people’s present, as well as future, law-abiding behavior. This literature review aims to clarify the developmental dynamics of legal socialization, as well as how figures of authority (i.e., family, school and police) may assist young people in the development of their own positive perceptions and attitudes toward the legal system and, in turn, shape their legal behavior. Lastly, contributions of legal socialization for juvenile delinquency prevention will be highlighted, as well as future research needs.

https://dgrsp.justica.gov.pt/Portals/16/SombrasLuzes_N10_11_1.pdf