Italian families living in poverty: Perspectives on their needs, supports and strengths

Between 2007 and 2010, poverty among children and young people increased in many OECD countries. In Italy, poverty increased significantly among children (by 2.2 percentage points). In comparison with other countries in Europe, children and their families in Italy are clearly at significant risk of exposure to poverty. And the risk of poverty or social exclusion increases with the number of children in a family, according to Eurostat data. In responding to families in need, the Italian welfare system has traditionally depended more on cash transfers rather than the provision of professional intervention and support. Fondazione Zancan is developing a different approach called “generative welfare” based on the idea “I cannot help you without you” which raises the issue of the strengths the welfare recipients have to support their families and communities. This approach guided a study conducted by the Fondazione Zancan and the Fondazione L'Albero della Vita, which involved interviewing families in poverty to gain their perspectives. Researchers conducted 277 interviews with parents in 7 Italian cities. The aim was to investigate the needs of and supports provided to families experiencing poverty. It also focused upon the strengths of the families and what they might contribute to their families as well as communities. In this paper the study is described and the results presented. Finally, the researchers comment on the effectiveness of current social provisions for families experiencing poverty in Italy and the potential contribution of families themselves to finding a more effective approach.