What's it like in Brazil?

Whats it like to be a teen in Brazil?

• What's it like to be a teen in Brazil? I heard they're only required to do 4 hours of school? so what do they do the rest of the days just hangout? like what are the hot stops ...show more

• Answer:

  Its more like 5 hours instead of 4. The reason that school is only half days is because there aren't enough classrooms or teachers. There is an early session (morning) and a late session (afternoon) as opposed to 1 full day. They also go to school year round, have no summer break and change grades in Feb (before Carnaval). The rest of the time, as you call it, they are studying, doing homework and concentrating on the books. Students in Brazil have the opportunity to attend university but only if they get the absolute best grades so this freedom you speak of is actually more independent study than their American counterparts as opposed to everything being driven by a teacher. No - they can't go "clubbing" at 13. The drinking age in Brazil is 18 and even though there may be parties and concerts that underage kids are allowed to go, it does not involve the inside of a club or bar. Those kids that go to clubs, drink underage, end up pregnant and have absolutely no future. Believe me, life there is much tougher than it is for you and without university, only a small fraction of the young population has the opportunity to attend, there is no lucrative employment after school.