The main purpose of this paper is to analyze the emotional and psychic constitution of children living in poor communities of Rio de Janeiro, where they are constantly exposed to extreme violent situations and feelings of helplessness, fear and despair, as well as a potential trauma. Based on a clinical practice developed with these children, the paper discusses the role of hospitality and empathy provided by the community that seems to contribute for their healthy development. Nevertheless, a precocious emotional development has been observed as a protective measure developed by children as an attempt of “caring for themselves”.
Childhood; trauma; psychoanalysis; precocious maturity