« Un Enfant en conflit avec la loi au Togo aux frontières du sacré et du sacrificiel ». Cas de Paulin : un enfant aux multiples statuts ou aux problématiques psychopathologiques multiples ?

Abstract

The phenomenon of Children in Conflict with the Law in Togo commonly echoes transgression. However, this label, which can be qualified as a socio-legal label, questions and conceals the status shouldered by those children and adolescents. This article is an excerpt from a qualitative, doctoral research project whose data is drawn from life story collections (Bertaux, 1993 ; 2006), analyzed using the method of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (Smith, 1993) and Complementarism (Devereux, 1972). The objective of Paulin's case study is to explore its subjective experience by highlighting a child's status. A thematic content analysis of Paulin's study reveals a set of pre-existing and co-existing statuses to that of Children in Conflict with the Law, conducive to a process of repetition. Paulin's status of a sacred child, and therefore worthy of absolute protection, was marred by a combination of factors. The manifestations of its suffering have been perceived but biased by transgenerational factors making attempts to take care of them futile, even though they are multidisciplinary. Thus, the changes in family structures and social relations in Togo imply a readjustment of joint care and child protection interventions. A complementary approach would seem to be a line for reflection..