BOLZANO. In Alto Adige there are 237 minors far from their families, assisted day and night by educators in residences and socio-pedagogical centres. Half of them (51.9%) are followed by experts due to their parents’ inability to educate them, finds an Astat study. «Talking about difficulties – said Giordano Ometto, representative for the protection of minors at the Assb – is very generic, there can be many: from a mother who struggles with alcohol and drug abuse to a father who is instead addicted to gambling. Young people are separated from their families when there is no other solution for their well-being and recovery. But parents often don’t object. They realize that their children are suffering – perhaps following a separation – and entrust them to educators for a certain period.”
In Bolzano alone, there are 123 minors entrusted externally: 63 of them reside in specialized structures. The figure that most worries social services is that of foster families: seventeen. A miserable number. «There are very, very few parents who make themselves available. No more than twenty in the capital. Now - adds Ometto – we plan to raise awareness in the community, with events and debates, recruiting others. Minors in difficulty need points of reference to believe in. And then foster care allows you to work preventively, before the situation worsens in an almost irreversible manner.”
Astat data in detail
Looking back at the Astat survey, which refers to data up to 31 December 2023, 8.0% of guests in the facilities are made up of unaccompanied foreign minors (those who are in Alto Adige without parents). 5.9% of the people assisted are victims of abuse or mistreatment in the family and in 5.5% of cases these are minors welcomed due to psychophysical problems of their parents. The distribution by age group is interesting, with a prevalence of adolescents. In fact, 59.5% are between 11 and 17 years old. The share of boys and girls under 11 years old stands at 22.8%. the female component is slightly higher than the male component: out of 237 people assisted, 120 are females (50.6%) and 117 are males (49.4%). The majority of young people welcomed into the facilities are not foreigners, as we tend to mistakenly think, but have Italian citizenship (60.3%).
Six out of ten minors have no certified problems, a sign that the critical issues are also social. While 38.4% present developmental mental disorders. Only 3.4% have a disability. «Often – explains Giordano Ometto – these are young people who create problems at school and in the neighbourhood. And some parents tend not to take half measures: those who deny and defend their child, not listening to the advice of educators. Those who have an expulsive reaction, on the other hand, dump him and leave him with his problems, which he evidently cannot solve on his own.” This is where the Juvenile Court tries to intervene, deciding on placement in a facility in 66% of cases.
(photo Ansa theme)
What are the primary reasons parents in Alto Adige struggle to provide adequate support for their children?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Giordano Ometto, Representative for the Protection of Minors at Assb
Editor: Good afternoon, Giordano. Thank you for joining us today. Your insights into the situation of minors in Alto Adige are incredibly important. According to an Astat study, over half of the 237 minors in care are there due to their parents’ inability to provide adequate support. Can you elaborate on the various challenges parents face?
Giordano Ometto: Good afternoon! Yes, the challenges can vary significantly. For instance, we often see cases involving substance abuse, whether it’s a mother struggling with alcohol addiction or a father caught in the cycle of gambling. It’s a complex scenario that doesn’t always stem from a place of neglect but rather a struggle with personal circumstances that hinder their ability to care for their children.
Editor: That sounds incredibly tough for those families. You mentioned that many parents, despite facing these challenges, willingly place their children in care. What motivates them to make such a difficult decision?
Giordano Ometto: It’s indeed a tough choice, but many parents ultimately recognise that their children are suffering. In the face of separation or their own issues, they see the potential for recovery and a better quality of life if they entrust their children to educated professionals. They often believe that educators can provide a more stable and supportive environment while they work on their issues.
Editor: In Bolzano, you noted there are only seventeen foster families available to help these children. Why do you think there are so few families willing to step forward?
Giordano Ometto: The lack of foster families is alarming and multifaceted. Many potential foster parents might feel apprehensive or unprepared to take on such a responsibility. There’s also a societal stigma attached to fostering, and we need to change perceptions around it. That’s why we are planning community events and debates to raise awareness and encourage more families to consider fostering. These children need stable reference points and loving families to thrive.
Editor: You mentioned the need for preventive measures in foster care. Can you explain how fostering can prevent situations from escalating?
Giordano Ometto: Certainly. When minors are placed in foster care early, it allows for interventions before situations deteriorate beyond repair. Fostering creates a nurturing environment where children can heal from trauma and begin to develop coping mechanisms. This gives them a chance to flourish rather than becoming trapped in the cycle of institutional care or facing worse outcomes later in life.
Editor: The data you shared highlighted that around 8% of those in care are unaccompanied foreign minors. What specific challenges do these children face in comparison to their peers?
Giordano Ometto: Unaccompanied foreign minors face unique challenges, including cultural barriers, language difficulties, and the trauma of displacement. Many of them arrive with significant psychological scars from their journeys and the circumstances that forced them to leave their homes. Without family support, they are particularly vulnerable and rely heavily on the systems in place for protection and integration into society.
Editor: It seems there’s a pressing need for community support to address these complex issues. How can the public get involved in helping these minors and their families?
Giordano Ometto: Absolutely! Community involvement is crucial. People can start by educating themselves about the realities of fostering and supporting local initiatives that advocate for children. Engaging in discussions, volunteering, or even just spreading awareness can make a substantial difference. We hope to inspire more families to explore fostering as an option, as every child deserves a chance to belong to a family and feel loved.
Editor: Thank you, Giordano, for sharing these insights. It’s clear that fostering and supporting minors in distress requires a collective effort from the community. We hope this conversation will encourage more people to engage in this critically important cause.
Giordano Ometto: Thank you for having me. Raising awareness is the first step toward change, and I appreciate the opportunity to discuss these vital issues.
Editor: We appreciate your work and dedication to this cause. Thank you for your time!