Conceptions of children and ways of relating between caregivers and professionals and institutionalized children, Colombia

Abstract

This article explores the different conceptions of children and the ways of relating between caregivers and professionals and children and adolescents in a protection institution in Colombia. It is assumed that both the conceptions of children and the different ways that adults have of relating to them guide the caregivers' practices in the institution. During the study, 13 interviews with caregivers and professionals of from protection institution were conducted along with participant observation and documents analysis. Three conceptions of the child subject emerged: the child as a son/daughter of the welfare system, the resilient child and the child in need. Professionals and caregivers face tension between their professional work to facilitate the restitution of these children's rights and the parenting role traditionally carried out by families.