Naples, January 13 – A significant study has highlighted that the family and social context are among the primary drivers of educational poverty in the city of Naples and its metropolitan area. This conclusion stems from the research titled “Invisible Barriers,” a collaborative effort between the Department of Economic and Statistical Sciences at the University of Naples Federico II and Save the Children’s Research Hub. The study aimed to comprehensively examine the phenomenon of educational poverty within the Neapolitan territory.
Invisible Barriers: Unveiling Educational Disparities
The research, coordinated by Professor Cristina Davino from Federico II, was supported by the GRINS (Growing Resilient, INclusive and Sustainable) project, funded by the Ministry of University and Research as part of the Pnrr. With the backing of the Campania Region’s School Department and the Naples Municipality’s Education Department, 55 schools and approximately 25 third-sector organizations and social services participated. The study involved around 4,000 students aged 14 to 19, along with 300 young people who had left the school system.
The investigation reveals that living in a low or very low-income family is among the most critical “invisible barriers” hindering the future of Neapolitan adolescents. This factor was reported by 12% of the interviewees, with 5% stating that they live in conditions of “severe material deprivation.” This situation is particularly prevalent in the peripheral areas of Naples, including Scampia, Chiaiano, Piscinola, Ponticelli, Barra, and San Giovanni a Teduccio. In the metropolitan area, the communes of Casoria, Afragola, Caivano, Cardito, Crispano, and Acerra also show similar trends.
The Impact of Socio-Economic Conditions on Youth
Many of these young individuals, due to their family circumstances, work in addition to attending school: 6.7% daily, 16% occasionally, while 21% are actively seeking employment. Nearly half do not read books beyond school assignments, over 40% do not engage in physical activity, and approximately one-third spend more than five hours daily on their mobile phones. Only one in seven participates in an association.
“An innovative aspect of the research was to evaluate not only the opportunities provided by family, school, and territory but also to understand the dreams of the students,” explained Davino. “There is a significant gap between aspiration and expectation, and there is always a desire to seek a better future elsewhere. The lack of opportunities also impacts an individual’s emotional capacities, relationships, and stress management.”
School Infrastructure and Bullying: Key Concerns
Regarding their perception of school, 59.4% of students favorably rated the availability of services such as remedial courses and cultural activities. However, the assessment of school infrastructure, including gyms, digital tools, and libraries, was negative, with 43.3% of the sample deeming them “unsatisfactory.” Within school walls, 12% of interviewees reported experiencing bullying.
The research maps the concerns of adolescents, offering a detailed vision of their future aspirations. Hope (29.6%) and anxiety (27.4%) are the two predominant emotional states with which young people view their future. However, the sample indicates that young people do not believe they can have a “fulfilling” future by remaining in Italy or their place of residence, and they look with greater confidence towards a future abroad. A significant 50.9% of interviewees are convinced of the need to support young people in difficult economic conditions, enabling them to continue their studies and enter the job market through quality training pathways that lead to stable contracts and adequate remuneration.
A Call for Action and Future Strategies
“This research is the first of its kind in Italy,” stated Raffaela Milano, Research Director at Save the Children. “Together with Federico II, we want to make this wealth of data and analysis available to the entire educational community, with the hope that it will be just a first step for discussion and in-depth analysis, and that this research can guide increasingly targeted strategies to combat educational poverty.”
The study underscores the urgent need for comprehensive interventions to address the multifaceted challenges faced by Neapolitan youth, ensuring that all young people have access to educational opportunities and a promising future.
Source: https://napoli.corriere.it/notizie/cronaca/26_gennaio_13/poverta-educativa-federico-ii-federico-ii-e-save-the-children-a-napoli-il-5-ragazzi-vive-in-stato-di-grave-deprivazione-materiale-5110d079-fa40-4b8e-97c1-5ae7104e2xlk.shtml
