Promoción de Salud y Calidad de Vida en madres de preadolescentes de la comunidad de Chiguayante-Chile. Una etnografia enfocada.

Abstract

The aim of this ethnographic trial was to identify cultural patterns present in mothers' actions when protecting their children from environmental risks like drugs and violence. Data collection consisted in a tape-recorded structured interview with 10 mothers of 9 to 13-year-old preadolescents, complemented with pictures, field notes and participant observation. Mothers conceptualize their child as a "Big Boy" who wants to make his own decisions and be independent, generating conflicts in the family as a whole. As a conclusion, mothers perceive their pre teenagers as more vulnerable, so a close guiding and control is necessary for their developing activities. They believe it will help their children to recognize hazardous situations and stay away from them.