The meaning of the shelter experience and the self-image of the school-age children. / O significado da experiência de abrigo e a auto-imagem da criança em idade escolar.
AUTOR(ES)
Daniela Cristina Montes
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO
2006
RESUMO
The experience of a child living in a shelter can hamper their development of a positive self-image when the shelter does not abide by the principles established in accordance with the law. Values, beliefs, images, attitudes and the entire set of information experienced in their childhood builds the image that the child has of them self. Therefore, it is necessary to study to what proportion the shelter, in its function as protection, contributes or not, to the formation of the childs self-image in situations involving personal and social risk. If on one hand, the shelter situation can prevent or reduce damage to the child who, in their own intimate family environment was in a risk situation; it on the other hand, can cause setbacks to the childs formation of self-image. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to learn the significance of such experiences in shelters for school-age children and to identify references about their self-images in their reports. Considering the objectives herein stated, the method used to develop this research was of a descriptive and qualitative nature. The choice of this method should be the fact that it allows us to understand the subjective reality of a social group. With this in mind, interviews of 14 children in the shelter situation were performed. The organization of this data enabled us to identify that the significance of the shelter experience is associated with everyday life, with family relationships and with the primary caregivers. And self-image is associated with each life history, how one is viewed by friends, with body image and with self-opinion. These childrens reports, in regard to the significance of the shelter experience, showed an ambivalence of feelings toward the institution. They do not recognize the shelter as their home; however they understand that the institution meets their material needs much more than their own families do. They feel that at the shelter they are cared for and protected; have better opportunities for learning and higher access to leisure activities. They like the institution, but wish this situation were transitional with the possibility of returning to their homes. At the same time that the limits imposed by the routines and rules make these children feel cared for and protected, they also feel discontentment due to reprimands they receive and their lack of freedom. The reports regarding self-image showed that each and every experience lived by a child, reflects in their self-opinion and that, in spite of their history of family violence, they look for mechanisms to help them develop a positive self-image in some areas. This study enabled us to understand that not only the institution exercises influence on the self-image of children, but also the influence of the shelter experience affects their self-image.
ASSUNTO(S)
auto-imagem exclusão social institutionalized child saúde escolar social exclusion crianças abrigadas school health self-image
