[The experience of institutionalized children]

The aim of this study was to know the experience of the institutionalized child and was guided by the theoretical referential of the "Symbolic Interactionism" and by the methodological referential of the "Grounded Theory". The data had been collected in two stages: the first one understood group activities and second stage consisted of personal interviews. The results had shown that the institutionalization occurred for abandonment and reject of the parents or for legal decision as a measure of child protection, having as context the poverty of its family. The child's experience is conflicting in relation to being institutionalized, because while he/she perceives the necessity of material gain, they miss their family, their home, their friends, and simply life outside.