historically, some locals in rio de janeiro are still wary of kite flying, since kites have a history of being used by criminal factions as warning signals of incoming police presence, when young scouts flew kites to signal police arrival or rival traffickers attempts to enter a favela.

On the whole, kite flying is a recreation seen as safe and healthy - it is a pleasant alternative to social worlds and conflicts that young people in rio may be exposed to - social initiatives in communities are increasingly identifying the pastime as an important constituent of favela culture.

Kite flying can be seen as offering a leisurely escape from the struggles of everyday life - Like a young resident of rocinha eloquently described 'I think everyone should have wings, just like the birds - But since no-one has wings, we fly kites'.