Abstract

FORERO PULIDO, Constanza; GIRALDO PINEDA, Álvaro  and  SANCHEZ SUAREZ, Diana. Violence and aggression: a view from the street children. Medellín, Colombia. Index Enferm [online]. 2014, vol.23, n.4, pp.200-204. ISSN 1699-5988.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S1132-12962014000300002.

Objective: to understand the meaning of violent acts for the participant's point of view. Methodology: The study consisted of qualitative and ethnographic research. Ethics were an integral part of the process; thirty-eight interviews were performed, a field log was maintained and the analysis was done with the participants in order to guarantee the precision. Results: For homeless children the significance of violent acts is conditioned by the justification of these acts. These acts mean violence when there is not a justification to do it and often the violent acts are executed by people who are in positions of power or those who for personal or mental reasons have a tendency towards violence. Instead the violent acts mean aggression when there is a justification to carry them out. Final Considerations: The responses to the violent acts are determined by the significance the children give to those acts. If the violent acts are executed by people in a clear position of power, the children accept it, however if the violent acts are carried out by others, this generates in them acts of vengeance and aggression.

Keywords : Violence; Aggression; Children street; Ethnographic; Power.