Nuove generazioni italiane adolescenti e adulti significativi

The issue of Second generation immigrant youth currently represents an educational emergency for our Country. Both those who work in the field and those who study these topics agree on the fact that the equality of job, educational, housing and relational opportunities is crucial for teenage immigrants. Lacking this condition, a key generation in terms of reception ability, identity processing styles and power of self-fulfillment may join deviant subcultures thus becoming a social problem. In terms of adolescent unease, we are aware that a healthy adult- adolescent relationship is a protective factor. Indeed, lots of international studies show that important non-parental adults play a fundamental role in this generation’s growth. In this regard, instead, Italian literature almost always takes into consideration parents without mentioning non-parental adults such as educators, mentors, teachers, coaches, religious ministers and so on. Therefore, the aim of my research project is to carry out an in-depth study of the relationship between immigrant youth and non-parental adults and to give voice and understand adolescents’ needs and adults’ difficulties. My research also aims to point out new ways in which important adults can improve their relationship with migrant adolescents. This study utilizes a qualitative approach, specifically employing tools suggested by the autobiographical method, such as the narrative semi-structured interview.