“Admission, educating and guiding for life”: The Preventório Eunice Weaver and the professional schooling of daughters/sons of leprous parents (Araguari, MG, 1952–65)

Abstract

This study addresses professional education at the Preventório Eunice Weaver in Araguari, MG. The research was based on the following questions: how did the preventorium come into being? How were admissions and discharges processed? How were the experience of admission and consequences characterized? The objectives were to characterize the origin of the Preventório and to understand the admission process. This is a historical, documentary and empirical research aligned with the history of educational institutions, the sources of which were newspapers, laws and interview transcripts. The time frame ranges from 1952 (opening of the Preventório) to 1965 (release of the group admitted in 1959). Three sisters were interviewed. The analysis followed the categories of antecedent, daily life and consequences related to admission. The results allow us to question discourses about inmates receiving treatment that would alleviate the distance from their families and the lack of affection and love. What they received was punishment and humiliation, in addition to unpaid work.