Abstract

CINTRA, Ana Lúcia  and  SOUZA, Mériti de. Institucionalização de crianças: leituras sobre a produção da exclusão infantil, da instituição de acolhimento e da prática de atendimento. Rev. Mal-Estar Subj. [online]. 2010, vol.10, n.3, pp. 809-833. ISSN 1518-6148.

The Child and Adolescent Statute is a landmark in the field of childhood care. From this new legislation onwards the aim is to put aside the format of traditional shelter and care institutions for abandoned children or children taken from the family context. However, the changing movement reveals the existence of a territory with several problems which demand complex interventions, associated to a continuous process of reflection on the subject. This article questions issues related to the institutionalization of children considering the social exclusion logics in force in Brazil. It is understood that these logics are set up by practices and discourses that produce both the mother who abandons her child and the shelter institutions for the abandoned child. The analysis is based on the historical and psychosociological evaluation of institutionalization during childhood in Brazil and the services provided by these institutions. We also consider the limits of the conception of an epistemic and rational subject that recovers the understanding of the psychic restricted to the conscience order, as well as the identitary representation tied to generalisable attributes. Under this perspective the quality of care offered by the institutions is focused and discussed considering the social educator's role. It is suggested that this professional is aware of the institutionalized child singularity, considering her in a subject of rights and desires.

Keywords : Child; Institution; Shelter institution; Social educator; Singularity.

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