THE PATH OF FIVE INSTITUTIONALIZED BOYS: A STUDY ABOUT THE EDUCATIONAL PROPOSAL FROM A FOSTER HOUSE IN PORTUGAL

Abstract

The study presented has investigated the educational proposal of Casa do Gaiato de Paço de Sousa, Portugal. We looked for a dialog either for theorical and empirical reflection, always considering that dialog as a scientific praxis in education. The research fits in the parameters of the phenemological- interpretative paradigm and was based on a qualitative and narrative methodology. Biographical and semi-directional interviews were used as a technique for collecting information, as well as document analysis and observation which provided us a heuristic interaction with the studied phenomenon. Content analysis was performed through a detailed cross-sectional analysis of the interviews of the participating subjects, in their perceptions of life before, after entry and during their stay in the house as well as their future perceptions. The discussion of the results suggests that the educational proposal of Casa do Gaiato de Paço de Sousa was significant in their lives, in their processes of social (re)insertion, namely in relation to a social and scholar promotion, in preparation for autonomy and transition to the labour world, acquisition of skills, identity building and formation of a critical subject.