When “at their home” also means “at our home”: survey on the quality of the reception of unaccompanied foreign minors in Italy

Abstract

The Italian reception system for UASCs (Unaccompanied Foreign Minors) provides for reception and training programs that lead them, at the age of 18, to officially enter adulthood; however, there is little awareness of taking this status “leap” into consideration. A research was therefore launched which aimed to explore their well-being, the experience in Italy together with their plans for the future. Between 24 May and 10 September 2021, 57 welcoming communities distributed throughout the country were contacted to ask for collaboration in administering a questionnaire available on Google forms to the minors. 12 structures participated (equal to 21.1%) and in total 95 questionnaires were filled in. A comforting picture emerged on the reception front: 65.3% perceive great kindness towards them and 85.3% are living the experience in Italy feeling included and accepted. 64.2% are very happy to live in Italy and also in the host structure and they all want to stay in Italy hoping to find a job (87.4%), but they also want to stay because they feel well (52.6%) and the country is welcoming (32.6%). It is significant that 43.2% intend to stay in Italy because they feel safe. The minors interviewed also have clear ideas for their future: first of all they think about well-being for the family of origin (sending them the savings, getting them to Italy) and then about acquiring material goods (a car, a house). Thirdly, they think about getting married and having children; they also consider engaging themselves in social activities (giving help for the integration of foreigners in Italy, volunteering). Fears for the future are primarily about economic and then emotional concerns, followed by those related to staying in Italy (about the residence permit, repatriation) and finally psychological and personal fears. The data collection proved to be an opportunity to raise awareness and to emphasize the fundamental importance of the approach taken by the host structures; these structures are the starting point for a life project attentive to the needs of growth, autonomy and independence of UASCs.