Childhood, violence, and supporting environment in a slum in Rio de Janeiro

This article, that is based on a field research, presents some features of life experience reported by 9 year-old from a slum of Rio de Janeiro's wealthy south side, selected in a public school to participate in group conversation meetings. Child development issues were investigated, relating to life conditions in a notoriously violent environment, but also offering some advantages. Some growth issues were observed, supported by Winnicott's theory about the importance of environment in developing subjectivity. The article makes note of some particularities in a paradoxal life experience, considering their role on maturing processes of children that at the same time bear threatening living conditions and benefit from favourable circumstances that are peculiar of this community.