A peer research study of care leavers in Argentina: an approach to the reality of youths and a contribution to the methodology

The findings presented in this paper are the product of a peer research project developed in 2014-2015 focussed on the conditions of youths transitioning out of the care system in Argentina. The aim of the project was to... [ view full abstract ]

The findings presented in this paper are the product of a peer research project developed in 2014-2015 focussed on the conditions of youths transitioning out of the care system in Argentina. The aim of the project was to describe and analyse the processes of transition towards autonomy and towards adult life of a mixed group of 70 in-care residents and young people who had recently left the protection system in institutions of the provinces of Buenos Aires, Tucumán, Santiago del Estero and Chaco, in Argentina
The specific objective of the project was to analyse the tools that in-care and out-of-care young people have when they transition out of the protection system. In this sense the research focused, on one hand, on the perception of their level of preparation for this transition and, on the other, the relationships they established with the system once they had left care. It also identified and analysed risk and protection factors for the acquisition of autonomy amongst the youth and elaborated a series of policy recommendations based on our findings.
In addition, the paper engages in further reflection on the use of a peer research methodology as part of the development of the project. In recent decades there has been a developing body of youth research utilising peer research methods. Although the benefits of participatory research have been underlined, less is known about the effective contributions and challenges of involving young people as peer researchers, in particular care leavers.