A infância no território: escutando vivências de crianças em contexto de vulnerabilidade social no bairro Antônio Justa em Maracanaú (CE)

Abstract

This dissertation aimed to understand the experiences of children living in conditions of social vulnerability in the Antônio Justa neighborhood, located in Maracanaú (Ceará, Brazil), by investigating the affective images they construct about the territory and analyzing how they perceive their socioeconomic conditions. The research was grounded in Environmental Psychology, Historical-Cultural Psychology, and critical studies on childhood, with an emphasis on sensitive listening and the recognition of children as active social subjects. A qualitative approach was adopted, involving 18 children aged between 7 and 12 years, who participated in activities of the Alfaletrando Project, promoted by the Instituto Antônio Justa. Methodological procedures included the use of the Instrument for Generating Affective Maps (IGMA) and group meetings, which enabled access to the children's affective images of their living environment and their perceptions of life conditions. Data were analyzed using categorical content analysis. The findings revealed affective images marked by contrast, showing the coexistence of experiences of insecurity and violence alongside practices of sociability, emotional bonds, and everyday resistance. The children demonstrated critical awareness and agency, especially when presenting proposals to improve the neighborhood during group meetings. These results highlight the importance of approaches that articulate subjective and structural dimensions in the analysis of childhood and person–environment relations, emphasizing the value of listening to children as a tool for building fairer and more inclusive public policies. The study also underscores the potential of IGMA as a methodological tool and suggests further research on the concept of affective images of contrast, particularly in contexts of social vulnerability.