Représentations parentales chez l’enfant de la rue : cas des enfants suivis au Centre d’Ecoute et Transit de Yaoundé (CETY)

Abstract

The present study «entitled parental representation among street children: case of children supported at the Yaoundé listening and transit center» addresses a profoundly poignant and complex subject, which requires in-depth analysis to understand the underlying dynamics of these often-tumultuous relationships. In seeking to answer the central question what are the different forms of parental representations among these children? We hypothesized the following answer: Street children may develop various forms of parental representations, either positive or negative, depending on each child's experiences. To confirm this research hypothesis, we used the theory of social constructivism, which suggests that children build their understanding of the world from their interactions and experiences, as well as from the social representations that evolve within social groups. The adopted methodology includes individual interviews, focus group discussions, collection of life stories, and analysis of 20 case studies. The results show that some children maintain positive parental representations, fueled by feelings of love and hope for reconciliation. Others develop negative perceptions, marked by experiences of disappointment, betrayal, and abandonment, often associated with violence and parental neglect. Finally, a third category of children presents ambivalent representations, consisting of feelings of love and anger, hope and resignation, reflecting the complexity and contradictions of their family experiences. By combining constructivist perspectives and social representations, this study sheds light on how street children perceive and interpret the role of their parents, highlighting the significant impact of these representations on their psychological and social well-being.