1. The european perspective: An underestimated reality
At the European Union level, the phenomenon of young people providing informal care is increasing, yet it often remains off the radar of authorities.
- Percentage at the EU level: Official estimates indicate that between 4% and 10% of children and young people in EU member states have family care responsibilities.
- Educational impact: Approximately 33% of these young people state that they make immense efforts or fail to balance school with household tasks, leading to a much higher dropout rate than average.
- Carer profile: Most young people who take on these roles are girls, which perpetuates gender disparities regarding future careers and long-term income.
2. Romania: The hub of vulnerability among youth
In Romania, the economic context and labor migration (parents moving abroad) accelerate this phenomenon, forcing young people to mature far too early.
- Child poverty rate: With 41.5% of children at risk of poverty and social exclusion, Romania has the highest level in the EU, forcing 16-17-year-olds to work or take on the role of “head of the family”.
- Youth caring for siblings: A recent study indicates that approximately 20% of Romanian adolescents aged 15-17 provide care to family members, with those caring for siblings reporting a much higher level of household activity than those helping grandparents.
- Social marginalization: Young people with dependent children or those coming from the protection system are considered the category at the highest risk of marginalization in the labor market.
“Parentification” – A hidden cost of the future
What we see in the official data is a process of “parentification”: the child becomes a parent to their siblings or a carer for adults. At the European level, states with strong social protection systems (such as the Nordic countries) have much lower percentages of young carers because the state takes on the burden of assistance.
In Romania, in the absence of community support services, 16-17-year-olds become the family’s “safety net.” This forced maturation comes at a high price: poor mental health, social isolation, and loss of educational opportunities. Practically, these young people sacrifice their present to ensure the family’s survival, risking remaining stuck in a cycle of poverty that is difficult to escape without the intervention of authorities.
Article written by Denisa Dobrin, school student