Vivendo em paralelo: um olhar sobre as relações sociais, estratégias de sobrevivência e as representações dos meninos da rua

Abstract

This research project studies groups of “street children” outside the direct tutelage of any organization. Our (pre) conception of “street kids” as “something that is out of their normal position” made them impose themselves on us as an object of study. But, it was, above all, his lack of “transparency” that made us try to apprehend his social representations of himself, his practices and that of Others; we also tried to understand the structure of their groups and their relations with the outside, and their strategies for survival. In order to achieve these objectives, we have reviewed the literature; direct observation; conversations; and semi-directed interviews. The preliminary results we arrived at are: as social representations, they "conceived" themselves as "victims" and as "sufferers". The members of the surrounding society connected with their "expulsion" to the street were "bad", while those who helped them were considered "with pity". Their practices were conceived positively. In the groups, there were clear subordinations and subordinations that were not well achieved. As survival strategies, the “street kids” sought to impress passersby to be objects of their help. In addition, they have teamed up with some people from the surrounding society, and have revalued garbage not only for their “good” but also for that one. (TRADUÇÃO NOSSA)