This dissertation has as object of study the teacher authority in the relationship with young high school students. The qualitative research is carried out in a state public school, located in the southern part of the city of Rio de Janeiro. The objective is to identify how two teachers, who teach the classes of Philosophy and Sociology, constitute their authority in the relationship with the young-students who attend the 2nd year of teaching. Therefore, the investigation takes place in the classroom, through three methodological procedures – observation (the visa), interview (the saying) and the questionnaire (the written). Throughout the investigation, it was observed that the teacher authority is constituted through the articulation of a set of attitudinal, pedagogical and professional aspects, which overlap and complement each other. But the basis of this constitution is the relationship that is established between teachers and students. Therefore, the main meaning of the school for high school students is socialization. It is concluded, therefore, that in addition to ensuring the right of access to all and the provision of quality free education, the state public school has another challenge: to become a space of socialization between the different generations, in which the bases of its structure are democratic relations, affection and dialogue.