The views of children living in care concerning their biological families in Brazil

Brazilian public homes are intended for children of up to 18 years of age who have been abused, neglected, placed at risk, or abandoned by their parents. These homes are normally of two types: for babies and young children, or for adolescents. This study considered as participants eight children from public children’s homes located in deprived areas of the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil, who still maintain contact with their biological parents, and it investigates their views of the latter. An ethnographic approach was utilised in conjunction with photographs, video recordings, drawings and conversations. The collection of data took place in care homes over a period of 12 months. It is hoped that this research will help to shed light on an area which has received little attention to date, whilst countering negative ideas concerning general attitudes to the care of deprived children. The study also aims to contribute to the consolidation of studies of children’s welfare in Brazil as a whole. It sets out results which aim to inform Brazilian public policies in order to guarantee improved standards in care homes, as well as increased support for families. The research carried out demonstrates that deprived children develop alternative family dynamics, which are different from generally accepted practice. Although these dynamics are considered as risky by the public authorities, the children are nevertheless hopeful of returning to their family homes at some point in the future. While it is obviously not acceptable for children to live in precarious and dangerous conditions, it is clear that current social policies in this area have failed, since the blame for these problems has simply been attributed to the parents.