Based on a broader analysis of the character of recent public policies directed at youths in Brazil and on the conflicting orientations inherent in this field, this paper deals with the presuppositions contained in three public programs taking place in the country: the Young Agent Project, the Voluntary Civil Service Program and the Work-Income Grant Program. To begin with, a general characterization of each of these programs is made, taking into consideration the aspects of their diversity; secondly, the analysis focuses on the paradoxes and ambiguities feature to their common underlining: the transference of income linked to some kind of repayment by the youngsters, usually the return to or the carrying on at school and the fulfillment of socio-educational or community type activities. Taking into account the beneficial side of access to income, this paper cautions the reader on the possibility of dissemination of new forms of domination based on the adoption of this model in public policies directed at youngsters.
Youth; Public policies; Socio-educational programs; Income transference