Meanings of Coexistence : An Understanding From the Daily Dynamics Promoting Them
Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia
Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia
Introduction: Coexistence constitutes a major factor in establishing social relations. In Colombia, unfortunately, it has been fractured by high rates of violence that have required the implementation of public policies, many of them imposed and away from the needs of communities.
Objective: For this reason, it is essential that communities define and give meaning to coexistence in order to make proposals closer to reality. In this regard, the article seeks to identify the meanings that, in relation to the practices of community coexistence, are built by a group of leaders.
Methodology: A qualitative descriptive study with an ethnographic design was conducted in a group of five (5) leaders.
Results: Coexistence was defined as those processes that make it possible to construct and establish agreements that guarantee the consolidation of good relations in the community and avoid conflict. This concept can only operate to the extent that solidarity becomes the value guiding relationships and that community participation is effective. However, this solidarity behavior finishes in the act of helping itself and does not extend to other community experiences that promote social cohesion.
Conclusions: An idealized vision of coexistence around a desired solidarity was evident. In everyday life, dynamics focused on individualism and apathy take precedence, because of mutual distrust, politicization of relations and a bandaid vision that prevents transformation from a collective project.
