Perceptions of Children in Institutional Sheltering: Interpersonal Relationships and Roles Played

Abstract

This article investigates the children’s perceptions about their institutional sheltering experiences. Six children from a shelter for children in the region of Belém/Brazil took part in this study. In order to collect the data, it used a form for the categorization of the children, semi-structured in-terviews, and children’s stories. The data collected from the form were tabled to create a general view of the life history of the children and relate them to perceptions learned in the activities with the tales. The interviews were fully transcribed for the content analysis from which were extracted the themes: Reason for sheltering; Reference figures; and Interactions with their families. The main results demonstrate that the children disregard the reason they were sent to the institution; the educators were pointed out as emotional support figures for the children, also situations referring to their experiences in the family context emerge by the reference made to the family and feelings caused by the separation. Therefore, it was possible to discuss, through the children’s perception, some questions related to the roles, activities, and interpersonal relationships established in the welcoming environment, as well as some aspects related to the family.