A study presented in the Parliament of the Canary Islands has highlighted that child social exclusion in the archipelago is not limited to single-parent or unemployed migrant families. The research indicates that 69% of minors in poverty live in households with two parents, and almost half of them are of local origin, holding Spanish nationality.
The most striking finding is that three out of four children in poverty in the Canary Islands come from families where at least one or two individuals are employed. This means that, despite having income, these families fail to rise above poverty thresholds, a trend also observed nationally, where 80% of minors in this situation live in households with up to three working individuals.
“"There is no single profile of poverty; sometimes we think it only affects single mothers or migrant groups, and it is evident that these groups are at higher risk of vulnerability, but it is not an exclusive situation for them."
Poverty, according to the expert, extends beyond a mere lack of money for food. It also includes obstacles that prevent children from fully participating in society, such as being unable to celebrate a birthday or attend extracurricular activities, which are crucial for their development.
Poverty thresholds used in the European Union and the Canary Islands define severe poverty for households with incomes below 40% of the national median. Despite annual incomes of 20,000 euros, many families find themselves in this situation, unable to afford basic expenses like going to the dentist or having a coffee outside the home.
Data from the Canarian Institute of Statistics (Istac) indicates that 50% of families with dependent minors in the Islands cannot cope with an unforeseen expense of 900 euros, and 14.5% are late with housing payments. The situation of children is more precarious than that of other social groups, such as the elderly, whose situation has improved thanks to the pension system.
To improve this reality, it is proposed to shorten the calculation periods for aid and make them compatible with employment, especially for families with irregular jobs. Simplifying bureaucratic procedures and unifying aid are also suggested to prevent families from being overwhelmed by managing multiple benefits.
During the commission, a representative from Aldeas Infantiles in the Canary Islands warned about the double vulnerability of young people who, upon turning 18, leave the protection system. Emphasis was placed on the need to consolidate stable support networks that guarantee housing, education, and emotional support for this group.
