Conclusions

Perpetrators Within? has provided the first ethnographic account of the experiences of military families of the Argentine dictatorship. By delving into the social and emotional fabric of military life, it has uncovered a complex network of relationships and practices unique to this community. To achieve that aim, I had to participate in that web of bonds. As a result, the book demonstrates how kinship, military identity, and the intersection of public and private spheres have shaped the experiences and perceptions of Argentine military families, in the aftermath of political violence. This conclusive section analyses how groups defending the accused officers organise their action and discourse around kinship, mirroring the dynamics of human rights organisations. In doing so, it highlights the complex relationship between kinship, political organisation and conflict in Argentina. These final pages also remind us of how the violence was socially and culturally embedded, affecting subsequent generations. It underscores the challenges of addressing historical trauma and the complexities of transitional justice, advocating for a broader understanding of military perspectives in the context of violence to better comprehend and prevent future atrocities.