Jeux d’enfants et enjeux de société en Haïti

Abstract

In a context where political violence pervasively shapes Haiti’s public sphere, this article examines its impact on preadolescents (ages 9–11) through an original lens: children’s spontaneous play. The study aims to show that play is not a neutral recreational domain but a coded form of self-expression through which children stage, negotiate, and reproduce social constraints, thereby connecting short-term effects (behavioural and emotional responses) with longer-term socialization dynamics. Methodologically, the research uses a qualitative observational design (direct and indirect observation) conducted between May and July 2024 with 28 children, split between an institutional setting (CDEJ) and a street environment (Rue Famosa, Delmas 33). Verbal and gestural materials were compiled and analysed through content analysis. Findings reveal the centrality of verbal and physical violence across a wide repertoire of games. This pattern is interpreted as a set of social representations structuring peer interactions around three paired logics—rival/friend, dominant/dominated, and past/present—through which broader political and intergenerational tensions enter children’s play. The article’s contribution lies in reframing play as a socio-political indicator and in outlining implications for educational and psychosocial interventions aimed at creating safer play environments.