Infância em ocupação urbana: reflexões sobre resiliência

Abstract

Resilience is a construct with many definitions, of different origins and emphases, that is linked to the active movement, in the quest to break the chain of immobilizing repetitions established by the traumatic experiences of pain. In the axis of reflection on social exclusion and subjective processes that involve the condition of socioeconomic vulnerability, I bring the issue of resilience, focusing on a childhood lived in a context of fighting for the housing right. Thus, the present study has as general objective to understand the resilience processes of children who share stories of adversity, in an urban occupation of Manaus. As specific objectives, I established: to know the routine of the children in the house, local community and other places in which they transit and the resources used in daily life to deal with adversity; identify the persons and institutions with which children have links; to interpret the meanings attributed by the children to their experiences related to the dwelling and the image they have of themselves. The research used a qualitative ethnographic methodology, using the following tools: participatory observation with registration in field diary; semistructured interview with script prepared for parents or caregivers; and storytelling workshops with children. Participants in the survey varied form 9 to 15 children, aged 4 to 11 years, per workshop, with the consent of parents or caregivers, and 4 mothers. In this context, the childhood seen in the Alcir Matos urban occupation is permeated by situations of adversity, with problems arising from poverty and social exclusion, however, aspects related to the resilience used by the children from the occupation were observed in order to deal with the difficulties presented to them in their daily life. Among them are: autonomy; creativity and problem solving; formation of affective bonds and use of support networks; sense of purpose and future; consciousness; humor towards bad weather; religiosity, faith and spirituality; and the desire to tell their stories through drawings, children's activities and playing.