As psycho-sociologists intervening daily in the public space of low-income housing projects, we aim in this article to explore the diverse modes of socialization of youths living in these housing projects, and to retrace the major lines of historical evolution of groups of “ youths from the projects ”, often inscribed today in processes of marginalization. We emphasize the reinforcement of power struggles between institutions and illegal economic organizations within the public space of low-income housing, and the instrumental violence committed against adolescents.
On the basis of these analyses, we suggest the construction of a position inside in the housing project for educators and psychologists so that they may function as third party and social bond.