This is a bibliographic study based on historical violence against children and teenagers since colonial time, when the slavery system petitioned extreme acts of violence against human beings. Looking to better understand the magnitude of this problem, some concepts are described and several approaches to violence are presented in an interdisciplinary context in order to analyse their causes and effects. The violence phenomenon which composed the formation of Brazilian society is also described through historical passages. This study offers the reader an opportunity to reflect about the current condition of violence against children and teenagers that are experienced in a "macropower" environment, understood as the State, and the "micropower" family group. Finally, it points out the need for confrontation of this brutal reality in order to construct a fairer, more equal and more democratic society.
History; Violence; Social group; Blacks