Social, economic and cultural factors limiting caregiver participation in Churcampa family support services

Abstract

In the Peruvian context, social policies aimed at early childhood development seek to ensure equity and the well-being of families in vulnerable situations. However, the active participation of primary caregivers in these programs faces various structural barriers that limit their effectiveness. Within this framework, the present article aimed to analyze the social, economic, and cultural factors that hinder the participation of primary caregivers in the Family Support Service in Churcampa, 2024. To achieve this, the scientific method was applied with a qualitative approach and an ethnographic, phenomenological-hermeneutic design. The study population consisted of 140 families, from which an intentional sample of 10 primary caregivers was selected. In-depth interviews, participant observation, and focus groups were used as data collection techniques. The results show that participation is constrained by multiple interrelated factors: socially, by the overload of domestic responsibilities, low educational levels, and lack of awareness of the program; economically, by low income and job instability; and culturally, by resistance to change in child-rearing practices and a sense of conformity, all of which limit family engagement. It is concluded that the participation of primary caregivers is significantly restricted by social, cultural, and economic factors. Domestic responsibilities, lack of time, limited awareness, and insufficient information hinder their full integration.