Public health and children feeding policies in Buenos Aires city. The “rituals” of the milk delivery

Abstract

This article explores the implementation and effects of a feeding program implemented by the health sector in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, from the perspective of women who receive it. The program includes the delivery of fortified milk powder in primary health care centers. The moment of distribution of milk is analyzed according to the “ritual” character taken on by public policies, in which distinctions can be made between state agents, recipients of programs and the symbolic value of benefits. In the execution of the program, the analysis carried out allows us to observe the consideration of both, the technical power materialized in the fortified milk box and the moral power that consists on the construction of reliable subjects, especially of women as mothers, subordinated to medical prescription. In addition, tensions are identified between prevention and health -as part of the value system highlighted by public policy - access to benefits and uses by families.