“House of opportunities” and gender dissidence: reflections based on a socio-educational detention centre in São Paulo

Abstract

Between 2022 and 2025, a study was carried out at the CASA Chiquinha Gonzaga Foundation, located in the capital of São Paulo, which provides support for female adolescents. However, breaking away from binary and semantic notions of gender, the Centre functions as a space that welcomes non-binary individuals, particularly trans boys and girls, who are serving custodial socio-educational measures. The research set out to investigate the gender inequalities reproduced within the socio-educational setting, as well as the institutional challenges faced by trans adolescents and by socio-educational care professionals at the centre. The research adopted a qualitative approach and was divided into documentary research, field research and analysis of the results. During the field research, 20 semi-structured interviews were conducted with cis and trans adolescents in detention and with four professionals. Among a wide range of issues, the following stand out: early entry into child labour; mental health issues; and households headed by Black women with limited access to basic rights. In addition, there are shortcomings in professional practice, chiefly due to a lack of training and preparation to support adolescents who deviate from the cis-heteronormative standard. The contradictory nature of the Unit was observed in two respects: the Unit is seen by the adolescents as the ‘HOME of opportunities’, being the only place where they can access basic rights, even whilst their personal freedom is restricted; and, at the same time, whilst the Unit punishes dissent, it supports the presence of these young people within the socio-educational space.