Effect of work on health, social and cultural aspects of the daily life of Brazilian teenagers in Bom Jesus City, Piauí State, Brazil

Introduction: The exposure of children and teenagers to work, often inadequately, has significant legal, biological, social, cultural and economic implications. Objective: this study present research results that aimed to analyze the repercussions of teenagers working. An exploratory qualitative study was conducted with 17 teenage workers, in Bom Jesus city, South of Piauí state, Brazil, based on the hermeneutic dialectic method. Results: The results showed that teen labor had negative repercussions on the health of the teenagers, represented by physical and mental fatigue, insomnia, musculoskeletal pain and headaches. In cultural and social life, there was a reduction in leisure and sport practices. There was a positive effect on the assumption of responsibilities, prevention of social vulnerabilities, financial independence, social recognition, personal fulfillment, social interactions, emotional balance, experiences and professional learning, even when recognizing the negative interference in academic activities. Conclusion: It is suggested that society and employers create spaces for basic health care to intervene and expand the physical and psychological protection of working teenagers.