Poor, underprivileged and delinquent minors in Brazil during the transition from Empire to Republic: a historiographical balance

Abstract

The article reviews the bibliography produced by the Brazilian academy about the poor, destitute and delinquent minority in Brazil, in the period that corresponds to the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. Within this chronological frame, the article explores the role of the public power in the care of poor and disadvantaged minors and gives special attention to the Orphans Court and to the asylum institutions that worked in the assistance and education. Issues such as the criminalization of minors and the discussion about child labor are also covered.