Despite the periodic and official commitments of the United Kingdom and Italian governments with regard to separated children’s rights and welfare, academics, non-governmental organisations and international organisations have widely emphasised that in both countries the effective protection of children is hindered by harsh immigration laws, policies and practices. In spite of this growing body of literature, policy-makers have paid little attention to questions concerning children and migration, showing a lack of political will to effectively take into consideration their specific condition, rights and potential vulnerability. Using the Foucauldian-inspired concepts of 'criminalisation' and 'victimisation', this contribution focuses on some of the most critical issues that emerge from the literature on migrant children, and particularly on the situation of separated children in the United Kingdom and Italy, with the aim of highlighting the impact that national laws, policies and practices have on the production and framing of their vulnerability.
Victims or Criminals? The Vulnerability of Separated Children in the Context of Migration in the United Kingdom and Italy
FURIA, ANNALISA
2012
Abstract
Despite the periodic and official commitments of the United Kingdom and Italian governments with regard to separated children’s rights and welfare, academics, non-governmental organisations and international organisations have widely emphasised that in both countries the effective protection of children is hindered by harsh immigration laws, policies and practices. In spite of this growing body of literature, policy-makers have paid little attention to questions concerning children and migration, showing a lack of political will to effectively take into consideration their specific condition, rights and potential vulnerability. Using the Foucauldian-inspired concepts of 'criminalisation' and 'victimisation', this contribution focuses on some of the most critical issues that emerge from the literature on migrant children, and particularly on the situation of separated children in the United Kingdom and Italy, with the aim of highlighting the impact that national laws, policies and practices have on the production and framing of their vulnerability.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
