Family Structure and Adolescence

Abstract

The characteristics of two family structures in Colombia and their methods of childrearing were described from participant observational data. The data illustrated that street childrenz camefrompoorfamilies that were matrifocal and of indigenous orAfrican descentt. Tley raised children for early independence. The class-dominant, Spanish patrifocal families had methods of child-rearing that demanded strict obedience to paretntal authority and delaved adolescent independence. The present study illustrated that the street children's early independence in a rapidly changing and volatile society increased the presslure on the state to exert its waning authority. The children were then described usinig ethnographic standards. The study demonstrated the difficulty of getting accurate information about a largc social problem, and illustrated that adolescence was defined itn a historical and societal context.