Effects of Microcultural Environments of Violence on Resilient Responses Among Adolescents and Young Adults in the City of Itagui, Colombia

Abstract

In this chapter we hypothesize that a culture of violence in Itagui, Colombia is the consequence of desensitization and legitimization of violence as valid strategy to cope or escape a harmful microculture of violence in the family. Resilient responses may vary as a result of poverty, gang activity, drug abuse, and lack of educational and employment opportunities. Using a community-based survey we explore how the current changes in family function and structure serves as a microcultural context of violence (MCCV). We also examine risk and protective factors that distinguish those who are resilient from those who are nol, and discuss how the culture of violence and the culture of specific comunas, both supported and obstructed resilience processes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved). (chapter)