Brazilian Street Children Research Articles

Engaging Brazilian Street Children in Play: Observations of Their Family Narratives

Story stem assessments allow children to create narratives in response to brief portrayals of family-based relational challenges. These methods can provide insights into children’s perceptions of close relationships, which is particularly useful for vulnerable children. We conducted a feasibility study of story stem assessments with school-age street children—a previously unstudied population—to explore whether they would understand family-based story scenarios similarly to children in more stable families. Comparisons to children in low income and middle-class conditions were made on the basis of performance characteristics and “narrative coherence.” Street children demonstrated capacities to elaborate family narratives nearly as proficiently as children in the other groups, yet they also displayed unique vulnerabilities. Implications for research with this population are discussed.

Educação Social para Crianças em Situação de Rua no Brasil

Este artigo tem como objectivo apresentar a relação das crianças e adolescentes brasileiros em situação de rua com a escola, como um espaço de educação social. São apresentadas as modificações que ocorreram no sistema escolar público no Brasil, ao longo do século XX, e as repercussões nas vidas destas crianças até a atualidade. A escola e as necessidades da sua população-alvo mostraram-se discordantes. São apresentados estudos brasileiros que mostraram como a importância da escola foi reconhecida formalmente, contudo quem não tira dela benefício direto? Por esse motivo a frequência escolar acaba por ser trocada por actividades asseguradoras das suas necessidades primárias. Além disso, foi também mencionada por estes estudos a dificuldade de integração de crianças em situação de risco social e pessoal na comunidade escolar tradicional. É neste contexto que aparece no sistema de ensino brasileiro a “escola aberta”, com um sistema de ensino flexível adaptado à rotina e às necessidades da criança que vive na rua. Estas escolas têm como objectivo a transição dos seus estudantes para o sistema formal de ensino. A escola deve ser considerada como um espaço de desenvolvimento, no qual seja conciliado o lúdico e o pedagógico. Já que as crianças esperam mais da escola do que apenas adquirir conhecimentos, é necessário que esta as encare como seres de direitos inseridos ecologicamente num contexto de desenvolvimento. Os vários elementos deste contexto escolar devem integrar a transformação e a aprendizagem.

Brazilian street children

English This article reviews the socioeconomic and political context of substance misuse by street children in Brazil. Although findings are limited, available research reveals an urgent need for implementation of policies for street children. Programs for preventing substance misuse and delinquency are still missing political and infrastructural support. French Cette étude analyse le contexte politique et socioéconomique qui entoure le mauvais emploi de substances par les enfants de la rue du Brésil. Bien que les résultats soient limités, la recherche indique que l'établissement de politiques concernant les enfants de la rue est un enjeu urgent. Il n'y a pas encore de cadre politique et d'infrastructures pour soutenir les programmes de prévention de la consommation et de la délinquance. Spanish Este artículo revisa el contexto socioeconómico y político del fundamento del abuso de niños de la calle en Brasil. Aunque los hallazgos son limitados, la investigación disponible revela una urgente necesidad de implementación de políticas respecto a los niños de la calle. Los programas para prevenir el fundamento del abuso y la delincuencia aún están ausentes de apoyo político e infraestructural.

Homeless children: the lives of a group of Brazilian street children.

To evaluate the life trajectories of a group of school-age street children frequenting two São Paulo city public shelters. A large proportion of the Brazilian child population suffers extreme disadvantage, although the Brazilian government gave the issue 'absolute priority' in 1990. Maternal and Under 5 mortality rates remain unacceptably high. In the metropolitan region of São Paulo an estimated 200 000 minors do not live with their mothers. Brazilian street children live lives of extreme personal and social risk. The data were collected through individual, semi-structured interviews, with 14 school age (7-12 years) participants frequenting two city public refuges, with their legal guardians' consent. Data analysis was based on Social Representation Theory and used content analysis. The children's most meaningful experiences were grouped into the thematic categories of family, the street, friends, drugs, the police, the shelters and the future. Synthesis of these categories showed the lives of these children to be permeated by violence, resulting in experiences restricting their full development. The solution to their problems depends on pressure being put on the State by the civilian community in order to establish social and health policies that conform to the Child and Adolescent Statute (ECA). We consider that assisting street children involves attitudes that go beyond professional performance and demands acts of citizenship. The development of an ethical-political attitude by professionals to the problems of homeless street children is essential, and educational curricula should be appropriately constituted. Political projects to develop health and welfare policies and education should be directed to these children and their relatives, and include participation by health professionals to provide the necessary preventive and curative services.

From Street to Stage with Children in Brazil and Ghana

Children have lived and worked on city streets since time immemorial. But in recent years, free-market policies have led to a growing gap between rich and poor, unprecedented urbanization, and the fracturing of traditional social structures. One result has been the development of entire subcultures made up of children, including many whose family ties have been cruelly cut. Childhood is supposed to be a time of safety, laughter, and learning. But these children lead stunted lives characterized by fear, shame, and discrimination. That they succeed in organizing and fighting back, as they have in Brazil, that they doggedly strive to realize their dreams of betterment, as they do in Ghana, is a wonder. The author's play, When I Meet My Mother, offers a glimpse into the lives of a gang of Brazilian street children in one 24-hour period.

Social Support and the Ability to Adapt to Life Among Brazilian Street Children and Non-Street Children

Social Support and the Ability to Adapt to Life Among Brazilian Street Children and Non-Street Children

News Values and Social Justice: U.S. News and the Brazilian Street Children

This essay argues that a humane journalism of social justice should find a place in the vacuum of values created by the removal of the Cold War framework . In support of that argument , the essay attempts to identify standards from the literature on the journalism of social justice and apply those standards to a case of reporting: coverage of the killing of Brazilian street children .

Policeman found guilty in first trial of murder of Brazilian street-children

Policeman found guilty in first trial of murder of Brazilian street-children

Brazilian street children

Brazilian street children