Abstract EN:

Following a decision by a juge des enfants (judge specialized in child welfare), the social benefits of a number of families were placed under legal tutelage and the families were given guidance in their administration for a period of a year or longer. These socially and economically underprivileged families presented a variety of psychological problems. In most cases their children also experienced difficulties especially with regard to their schooling. The result of this thesis show a parental model which is less valued than that in a population made up of ordinary, non-problem families. The children's image of themselves reflects this low esteem. Certain of the children's statements clearly show that they relate negatively to society. Some have deficient "perceptive concepts" (relation to time, notions of education and upbringing, etc. . . ) some of these children may well, as adults, reproduce the same behaviour patterns of which they themselves are victims.