De todas maneras, al final estaremos solos: implicaciones futuras de la decisión de no tener hijos / We'll be alone in the end anyway: future implications of the decision not to have children

Se propone un análisis desde la decisión autónoma de jóvenes adultos y adultos de no ser madres, ni padres, sobre las implicaciones de esta decisión en su futuro en la etapa de la vejez. El estudio se realizó desde el enfoque cualitativo, fenomenológico, a partir de entrevistas en profundidad con personas residentes en Colombia. Se destaca que la decisión de estas personas transgrede los modelos de reproducción social, impactando en las percepciones sobre familia, reproducción y ciclo vital. Adicionalmente se concluye que la responsabilidad en el cuidado de las personas adultas mayores no puede endilgarse a los hijos y que debe construirse una institucionalidad social robusta para la atención de la vejez

An analysis is proposed based on the autonomous decision of young adults and adults not to become mothers or fathers, on the implications of this decision on their future in old age. The study was carried out from a qualitative, phenomenological approach based on in-depth interviews with people living in Colombia. It is highlighted that the decision of these people transgresses the models of social reproduction, impacting the perceptions about family, reproduction and life cycle. In addition, it is concluded that the responsibility for the care of the elderly cannot be placed on the children and that a robust social institutional framework for the care of the elderly must be built.

Adoção hoje: a busca por um novo paradigma / Adoption nowadays: the search for a new paradigm

Este trabalho tem como foco discutir a atual cultura da adoção. O eixo escolhido gira em torno dos conceitos de identidade, família e cultura. O estudo das várias modalidades de adoção ressaltou a importância de se reconhecer a a existência de profundas diferenças culturais e econômicas entre as duas famílias, biológica e adotiva, participantes do processo. Este reconhecimento passa pela inclusão da família doadora, desde o início do processo de adoção, caminhando no sentido de uma adoção aberta, onde o contato e as trocas entre as duas famílias estejam, cada vez mais e verdadeiramente, a serviço dos interesses da criança. Este estudo evidenciou também a intrincada relação entre abandono e adoção no Brasil, apontando para as inúmeras frentes de pesquisa que podem surgir a partir daí, no sentido de se entender melhor o problema, em busca de possíveis soluções.

The objective of this work is to discuss the current adoption culture. The axle selected turns around the concepts of identity, family and culture. The study of the several adoption modalities emphasized the importance of knowing the existence of deep cultural and economical differences between both families – the biological and the adoptive families, participants of the process. This acknowledgment passes by the inclusion of the donating family from the very beginning of the adoption process, heading for an open adoption, where the contact and the exchanges between both families are progressively and truly for child’s interest. This study also evidenced the complex relation between abandonment and adoption in Brazil, pointing out to several research fronts that may appear therefrom, so as to better understand the problem looking for possible solutions.

[Foster homes in Costa Rica. An alternative in the closure of leprosaria]. / Hogares sustitutos en Costa Rica. Una alternativa en el cierre de las leproserías.

The actual knowledge about leprosy and its therapy determines it to be regarded and treated as any other disease. Leprosaria, dedicated to segregation and isolation the patient are not needed anymore. Accordingly, the only leprosarium that existed in Costa Rica, the "Sanatorio Nacional de las Mercedes", was closed on March 30, 1979. We are providing a historical account of the stages in the struggle against leprosy leading to the closure of the Sanatorio, as well as the main reasons supporting the inadequacy of having such an institution. We explain the meaning and advantages of the foster homes, where the last 30 remaining patients were replaced, thus facilitating the closure of the Sanatorio. Finally, three years later, we discuss the most significant results concerning the Hansen's disease control in Costa Rica.