Social vulnerability and youth violence in the municipality of Mejicanos. Reflections for a culture of peace

Abstract

The objective of this research was to critically and proactively evaluate the functionality of the different work models for the prevention of youth violence in the framework of social vulnerability in order to promote a culture of peace driven by cooperation through the local government and other institutions of the central government and civil society, in the municipality of Mejicanos. Similarly, a comparative analysis of these models was carried out, trying to visualize their scope and limitations. The methodology used it was qualitative, using the case study as the approach unit; the unit of analysis was the municipality of Mejicanos; the study subjects, young people organized in the Municipal Youth Council, directors and field technicians of some civil society associations that local government officials operate in the area. Observation techniques, semi-structured interview, focus groups and bibliographic record were implemented. One of the important findings was to find a coincidence that the majority of institutions, although not name that way, they use the ecological model of violence with a psychosocial and systemic approach. An important conclusion is that the adult-centrism and machismo that exist in the municipality of Mejicanos must be overcome in order to give them greater and better opportunities young people and women and include them in all citizen participation and organization processes.