Discontinuidad y autonomización en los trayectos vitales de los niños y jóvenes en situación de calle en La Paz y El Alto

Abstract

The life courses of children and young people in precarious situations are frequently marked by events that disrupt the organization of their daily life. Among these facts, we can name voluntary running away or forced expulsion from household leading to family breakup and to a “street” lifestyle. Based on the results of fieldwork in La Paz and El Alto, this article shows how the life courses of these children and young people are characterized by individuation and fragmentation processes. This indicates a shift from inoperative notions of “career in deviance” and “band” in favor of the idea of “network of surroundings” where boys circulate. Finally, the situation of children and young people questions policy interventions with this population, mainly by non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) and associations, which manage only partially to integrate them into their support programs.

Keywords

• Bolivia
• Childhood
• Street
• Family
• Poverty Life Courses
• Non Gouvernamental Organizations (NGO)