Dynamics between potential for strengthening and weakening in the lives of public-school youth: action research with emancipatory workshops

Abstract This action research analyzes the dynamics between potentials for strengthening and weakening inherent in social reproduction of young students. Based on historical-dialectical materialism, particularly Theory Social Determinants Health, analysis considered universal, particular, singular dimensions totality. The study was developed 13 emancipatory workshops, during a five-month period, attended by 12 high school students from public city São Paulo, Brazil. conditions exposed participants’ family configurations, which suffer precarious work unemployment, absence or inconsistency paternal support, process resocialization sociability. teenagers discussed insecurities difficulties faced them territories where they live, conflicts, repercussions pressures to face future, place their lives, doubts regarding sexuality drug use. allowed participants transcend appearance demonstrated essence reality, showing that emancipation is based understanding singular, universal relations.