Infâncias, tempos e corpo brincante na cultura popular

Abstract

This dissertation investigates the relationship among childhoods, time, and the playful body in popular culture. The objective is to examine how the playful body, present in popular manifestations, can connect us with childhoods. When researching childhoods, it became necessary to shed light on the tension between the adult world and the world of children, and how different generations interact in popular culture. From this research, it was possible to perceive that intergenerational dialogue — which occurs through dance, music, and play — is of utmost importance. Individuals of different ages interact and make themselves available for more intense exchanges. The study was conducted through a theoretical discussion and field research carried out in the stilt-walking workshops of the Girô Project, which takes place in the city of Rio de Janeiro and involves the participation of children and adults. This writing offers a critical perspective on childhoods, the body, play, and the manifestations of popular culture. It is concluded that access to the games and dances of our culture can help individuals understand and transform their own history and reconstruct their identity. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that playing and dancing through the expressions of popular culture can be a mechanism of resistance against the neoliberal societal model in which we live, fostering collectivity, corporeity, and playfulness