Social Inclussion and Guettos in Europe

Details: Created on Tuesday, 19 April 2016 10:32; Written by basquecountry

ESSAY

Everyone is very aware of the economic crisis that has hit us all, nevertheless, not that many people see the effect that it has had on the younger ones and how it has increased their risk of social exclusion. We talk about social exclusion because it’s very often used to understand the complicated concept of social inclusion which has many different dimensions. Social exclusion is still and ambiguous concept itself but we would be able to define it as a complex process that involves the lack of resources, rights, goods and services and the inability to participate in normal relationships and activities that are available to the majority of people in a society, in economic, social or political areas. Whereas, on the other hand, if we were to define social inclusion we would say that is a process which ensures that those at risk of poverty and social exclusion gain opportunities and resources necessary to participate fully in economic, social and cultural life, enjoying a standard of living and well-being that is considered normal in the society they live in. Both concepts can be understood in a more abstract way and encompassing individuals (the excluded, for instance) and the more systemic factors (the excluders), regardless, it is necessary to understand both concepts in order to be aware what social inclusion means for youth and what the consequences of their exclusion are.

This global economic collapse that I have just mentioned is mirrored specifically in Spain in the economy and education of the younger ones. From the young people’s perspective being socially included means the overall realization of their potential within society and the contribution that they can make (manifested by work, study volunteering and other forms of participation). However, this would be different for people that come from disadvantaged backgrounds as for them it would mean dealing with additional barriers so that they can reach their full potential (for instance, the ones that live in ghettoes - with whom we will be dealing with specifically). Therefore, we can agree that the possession of human, economic and social capital is crucial in order for them to not be socially excluded.

Talking about Spain specifically and focusing on the young people that live in the ghettoes it’s important to know that while more than 70% of expats in Spain choose to live closely with their Spanish neighbors, the rest opt for an address in one of the ‘ghettoes’. Worker, retirees and families live mostly in those ghettoes, and most of these families try their best to get their children to have a proper education and thus the resources and tools needed to be incorporated to the labor market later on. A lot of times, though, this is not the case as the families don’t have a financial security and they can’t afford a proper education or as the children want to start to work as soon as possible to help in the family’s incomes. Therefore, a major amount of these young children leave school sooner than the ones that don’t live in ghettos and can pay the education. Nonetheless, overall, the rate of young people that leave school early is really high in Spain. This aspect means the lack of skills and qualifications of young people, hence the creation of an endless cycle of poverty and social exclusion, as consequently these young adults have a higher risk of suffering from them.

As we can see, economic issues are closely linked to the matter of the education. These monetary barriers are a big concern in young people, as having that kind of capital represents an ‘entry ticket’ to a number of activities. Not having that entry means you are not able to participate in the labour market and education and therefore are more likely to accumulate traumatic experiences.In this regard, we can all agree how the roles of education and of employment are critical; as for the first one, it provides the resources needed to move into adulthood, and the latter, provides the income needed to reach financial independence, thus reaching the entry ticket of full participation.

These impediments to have a proper education that young people that live in the ghettoes suffer from, not only can lead them to a long-life social exclusion as they’re not provided with the necessary rules, but can also lead to major consequences as psychological consequences (loneliness, restlessness, anxiety, depression...) as well as behaviour changes (drug and alcohol dependence).

In consequence of all of this, a cycle of social immobility is created, which is higher than many people think and basically prevents young people from getting socially included. As to what the solutions these young people could provide, I believe that attending college, making the most of it and keeping their record clean of any criminal acts could potentially help in getting them through to a successful labor market and boosting the social mobility. If they try hard on their studies and not quit school early to go to work, they will for sure achieve a more successful job later on with which they will help so much more economically to their families than in any other way, and will as well allow more social mobility. On the other hand, whenever these children see differences being made on them for having a certain background or living in ghettoes they should denounce it and fight for their rights, in order for a difference to be made.

As a conclusion, we should say that young people have been hit hard by the economic crisis suffered by all recently, and as a result an increase in the unemployment rate has happened, and, in addition, the youth disengaged from the education has increased considerably. As a consequence this has lead to the nearly overcrowding of the ghettoes in certain areas and the low living conditions of the people and specially young children living in them. In other words, the crisis has happened to make young people face the highest risk of social exclusion. Moreover, for all the previously mentioned, the disengagement from education and therefore with the labour market hinders, as we have said, the accumulation of social, human and economic capital for young people, thus creating a wide range of negative consequences; poor future employment outcomes, risk of having physical and mental health issues, deterioration of well-being, risk of having an asocial lifestyle, risk of crime and drug misuse and a partial participation in economic, social and cultural life. Notwithstanding, the worst consequence of all is the lifelong social exclusion that these problems may lead to.

With this in mind, we can conclude that ensuring full participation in society and encouraging the active inclusion of young people living in ghettoes is of key importance.

As for me, I believe social inclusion is vital in any kind of situation in order to guarantee equality and the human rights that every person should have. Furthermore, I am certain that social inclusion starts from the individual to the community, therefore, in order to reach it, we should start by fomenting it ourselves (the young generations); taking into consideration all the different aspects we have been working on in the previous lines.

Ane Cortés Antolín.