Expert: Edison - 4/20/2010

Question
Hi Edison!
we are doing a project on the teen culture in brazil in comparison to canada. could you help us out? are they given more freedome? do they treat their family/parents with more respect or less respect then we do here in canada? if you have any information that may be helpful on the teen culture of brazil.
thank you so much!

Answer
Hello Jenny & Judy,

Nowadays, due to the American TV influence, the teen cultures in Brazil and Canada are becoming very similar. Drugs, car accidents and early sex are similar teens problems in both countries.

Some differences:

1. Most of teens in Brazil don't have a lot of money to spent in fancy clothes, trips and toys.

2. The family (parent, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins) relationship are much more important and closer in Brazil. Teens learned to respect and be supported by older family members.

3. Brazil is still a very "macho man" country, were girl are expected to behave like ladies and be sexy at the same time. Boys pretend to be playboys.

4. Only poor teens work in Brazil. It is considered not noble for a middle class kids to have a job in a supermarket or restaurant.

5. The underage laws are rarely enforced in country, so teenagers can go to bars and nightclubs. They can also buy drinks in most places without getting in trouble.

6. Cars are very expensive in Brazil, so only teenagers from upper middle class have  cars.

Check these links for more information:
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Brazil-129/teen-culture-Brazil.htm
http://www.topics-mag.com/edition8/teen-workers-brazil.htm
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100123163452AAayj92

I hope to be helpful!

Tchau,

Edison