Mapping the controversies that involve he process of medicalization of childhood

Abstract

This article aims to present aspects of the discussion about the controversies present in the process of child medicalization, which is the result of a study, still in progress, in a Master's program in Psychology, oriented theoretically by the Ator-Rede theory. It can be observed that, in the infantile scope, the medicalization has brought about significant changes, that extend from the increasing rise of its use until the constant changes in the vision of work feasible with children. Play, seen as an activity not only of leisure, but also of elaboration and resolution of conflicts, is being, in many cases, put aside and replaced by medication. To map the controversies and understand how the network of child medicalization has been constructed, it is necessary to listen to the actors involved and to follow the chains that give way to this phenomenon.