Abstract

LIMA, Rebeca Fernandes Ferreira; HERZOG, Letícia Sant'Ana  and  ROSA, Edinete Maria. Sociodemographic profile and support network for homeless adolescents. Rev. Subj. [online]. 2022, vol.22, n.1, pp. 1-15. ISSN 2359-0769.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5020/23590777.rs.v22i1.e11824.

This study aimed to describe the life trajectory and support network of nine female adolescents living on the streets. Specifically, (a) the sociodemographic and economic profile was characterized; (b) the experience of life on the street; and (c) the participants' support network, identifying resources and vulnerabilities in family, school, friends, institution, and street contexts. These questions were accessed through a structured interview about the life history and relationships with the adolescents' support network, which was answered individually in the protection services where they were recruited. Descriptive statistics of absolute frequency and percentage were used to analyze the population characterization data and the multiple case study approach to analyze life history narratives and relationships with the support network. The results showed that the adolescents (13-18 years old) were brown or black, including in schools, even though they had a school gap and a history of institutionalization. In their families, they experienced financial difficulties, conflicts and suffered physical, psychological, and sexual violence. These conditions were related to the support received from their friends, who offer them financial and emotional support, helping them overcome adversity. Thus, although they are spaces where adolescents can raise funds, the school, the institution, and, alternatively, the street was portrayed by prejudice, discrimination, and violence. Because of the broad context of vulnerability and its implications, it is necessary to invest in specific programs and interventions for the needs of adolescents living on the streets. In particular, focusing on ensuring access to education and better care based on non-judgmental actions that promote psychosocial care and support. Therefore, the importance of strengthening ties with the support network in the process of coping with the homeless situation is highlighted.

Keywords : street youth; genre; social support; qualitative.

        · abstract in Portuguese | Spanish | French     · text in Portuguese     · Portuguese ( pdf )