Social welfare services as protective mechanisms: exploring effects and limits

Abstract

The article is the result of a survey that sought to explore the effects of social welfare services in strengthening the relational social dimension of individuals and families in situations of vulnerability, with the territory dimension as an intervening variable in this process. Six CRAS units, in four municipalities of Minas Gerais, including urban and rural areas and ranging from small-size communities to metropolitan areas, were visited. Twelve technicians and twenty users of the CRAS services were interviewed in an attempt to map the types of interaction, the public profile and the incidence of social welfare services in altering trajectories or increasing the capacities of individuals and families served by the basic protection network. The findings point to the diversity of trajectories, as well as common stories for the interviewees as a whole. The different territories indicate a precariousness, in general, of a social infrastructure, marked by the precarious provision of services and by situations of violence and violation of rights. The meetings between families and CRAS members and the relationships established show different types and degrees of intensity. The reports of women exposed more systematically to the effects of services are clearer regarding changes in trajectories and subjectivities from the CRAS meetings.