Temporalità, dispossession e navigabilità sociale nel care leaving

Abstract

This contribution aims to explore the ‘temporal geographies’ of care leavers, i.e. young people who have just turned 18 in transition from the institutionalized care phase of residential communities to independent living. Through a reflective-episte-mological perspective, with particular attention to the temporal structure, the focus is on the analysis of the spatial and diachronic transitions that characterize the life experiences of these people, adopting the ‘social navigability’ di Vigh. The crucial phases of the transition from foster care to adulthood are examined in relation to environmental dynamics, with a focus on the stability of adoptive families or housing communities. The theoretical analysis also concerns access to educational resources and emotional support as key elements that contribute to shaping the perception of time and future prospects of care leavers, trying to outline the space-time connec-tions that influence their identity representation. This multidisciplinary approach aims to provide an in-depth vision of the temporality of care leavers, thus contributing to a more complete understanding of the challenges they face and to stimulate the de-velopment of social policies and targeted support programs.