We believe that the family, the first community

of love and solidarity, is the source and the

foundation of our societies. Families should be
supported in their educational role and defended
in their rights so that they can contribute to the
welfare and development of each of their
members and society as a whole.
DIRECTION FRANCE ET EUROPE Vision of society by Secours Catholique 2013
Solidarits Familiales

1- Background
Families lii!" i! sit#atio!s o$ %oert& are !ot di$$ere!t $rom ot'er $amilies( Famil& li$e re)#est
so*ial a!d %ositie li!+s ,esse!tial -rid"es .it' t'e so*iet& to /$eed0 t'e $amil&1s li$e as ea*'
mem-er o$ t'e $amil&23 a s%irit#al li$e a!d a! i!estme!t o$ eer&o!e i!to t'e $amil&
,*omm#!i*atio!3 i!tera*t3 ma!a"eme!t o$ eer&da& li$e3 relatio!s'i%s3 et*(2( A!d3 li+e all $amilies3
t'ose .'o are lii!" i! %re*ario#s3 are .or+i!" to -#ild $amil& relatio!s'i%s3 ed#*ate t'eir *'ildre!
at t'e 'eart o$ eer&da& li$e( T'e& %ossess i! t'emseles3 li+e all $amilies3 t'e %ote!tial to *'a!"e
t'eir sit#atio!3 "e!#i!e a-ilit& to a*t( T'e& tr& to -etter too3 to *om-i!e em%lo&me!t3 'ealt'3
'o#si!"3 so*ial li$e a!d $amilies li$e( Sometimes t'e& *ome $rom di$$ere!t 'ori4o!s3 *o#!tries or
*#lt#res(
5#t lii!" i! a %re*ario#s sit#atio! is to lie i! er& s%e*ial *o!ditio!s o$ li$e3 sometimes st#$$& or
atro%'&i!" o%%ort#!ities $or *reatiit&3 i!itiaties or i!diid#al a*tio!s(
T'ese $eat#res ma& -e seeral3 a!d are o$te! mar+ed -& a la*+ o$ mo!e& a!d "oods a!d -&
di$$i*#lties i! 'ealt'3 em%lo&me!t3 'o#si!" a!d a**ess to ri"'ts i! a ariet& o$ $ields ,.it' %arti*#lar
%ro-lems *o!*er!i!" mi"ra!ts2( 5#t o$te! 'ae to -e added t'e la*+ o$ so*ial re*o"!itio! a!d a real
%la*e i! t'e so*iet&( It is t'e $eeli!" o$ -ei!" e6*l#ded or 7i!isi-le7 amo!" *iti4e!s3 .'i*'
%redomi!ates $or %eo%le lii!" i! %re*ario#s sit#atio!s( 8'ateer t'e& are3 t'ose lii!" *o!ditio!s
'ae a si"!i$i*a!t im%a*t o! $amil& li$e3 t'e *o!ditio!s o$ im%leme!tatio! o$ a! ed#*atio!al
a%%roa*' as t'e .a& to "ro. t'e *'ildre!(
I! Fra!*e3 more a!d more $amilies a!d *'ildre! are si!+i!" i!to %oert&3 toda& a poor over three is
a child.
2.665 million children are affected, one every fifth child( Not o!l& t'ere are more a!d
more %oor *'ildre!3 -#t t'e& are i!*reasi!"l& %oor( O-serator& /Sam# So*ial0 i! Paris
made a retros%e*tie st#d& o$ 119 %'o!e !#m-er #sers o$ t'e last te! &ears3 .'i*' s'o.s a
*om%lete *'a!"eoer: i! 1;;;3 t'e *ore %erso!s isolated .ere more t'a! 12 <003 t'ose .it'
$amil& 1 =00( At t'e e!d o$ 20123 .ere a%%ro6imatel& 20 000 i! $amil& .'o .ere admitted3
o$ .'i*' 90> *'ildre!
The Secours Catholique is also hosting each year !earl& o!e millio! %eo%le lii!" -elo.
t'e t'res'old o$ %oert&( ?e a**om%a!ies 319 000 $amilies i! 20123 t'at a**o#!ts 39< @12
ad#lts a!d <@2 000 *'ildre!( Aore t'a! 'al$ o$ t'ese $amilies lie -elo. t'e %oert& li!e at
B0>3 t'at mea!s i! e6treme %oert&
2- indings of Secours Catholique!
At t'e 'eart o$ all meeti!"s a!d t'ro#"' a*tio!s .it' $amilies3 t'e Se*o#rs Cat'oli)#e -#ilt its
$i!di!"s
1
The isolation!
C 33. One of the great challenges of the family today consists in attempts at its privatization. The
risk of forgetting that the family is the fundamental cell of society, where we learn to live with
others despite our differences and to belong to one another !", ##$. %hat needs to be clearly
delineated is the vision of the family as a resource in society, that is to say, a source of the essential
virtues for a life in community. D !&tract from the 'nstrumentum (aboris of )une *+, *,-+.
C 3+. The synod will have to reflect on how to promote in today.s world a ministry which
encourages the participation of the family in society. /amilies are not only the sub0ect of protection
by the 1tate, but must regain their role as active agents in society. 'n this regard, the following
challenges emerge2 the relationship between the family and the workplace3 the relationship between
the family and education3 the relationship between the family and health3 the family ability to bring
generations together so as not to neglect the young and the elderly3 the situation of the rights of the
family institution and its specific relationships3 and the promotion of 0ust laws. D !&tract from the
'nstrumentum (aboris of )une *+, *,-+
T'e isolatio! e6%erie!*ed lied -& most %eo%le lii!" i! sit#atio!s o$ %oert&3 'as a si"!i$i*a!t
im%a*t o! $amil& li$e a!d o! t'e im%leme!tatio! o$ %are!ti!"( 5ei!" or -e*omi!" a %are!t is
*o!str#*ted t'ro#"' t'e i!tera*tio! .it' ot'ers3 dialo"#e -et.ee! ad#lts *ari!" $or 'is ,or t'eir
*'ildre!2 -#t also $or ot'er *'ildre!( Ed#*atio! is !ot -ased o!l& o! si!"le %are!ts -#t also o! t'e
e!tire s%a*e o$ *o-ed#*atio! t'at is relatio!al a!d $amil& !et.or+s o$ %eo%le( I$ ed#*atio! mea!s
7*o!d#*t a-road73 it im%lies t'at t'e lii!" *o!ditio!s allo. e6%erime!tatio! $or %are!ts a!d
*'ildre!3 e!*o#!ters3 *rossi!"s3 i!stead o$ dialo"#es3 et*( to -#ild a! ad#lt !et.or+ aro#!d t'e
$amil&( It allo.s to ad#lts to s#%%ort3 to -ala!*e a!d to deelo% .'at t'e& lie $or t'emseles a!d
t'ere$ore .'at t'e& are li+e %are!ts( For *'ildre!3 t'e !et.or+ e!a-les t'em to e6%erie!*e
relatio!s'i%s a!d o%e!i!"s to t'e real .orld3 "ii!" t'em t'e mea!s to i!te"rate -ot' t'e al#es a!d
r#les o$ so*ial li$e( O-io#sl& i$ t'e !et.or+ does !ot e6ist3 $amil& li$e is lied i! a "'etto ,or ot'er
area2( A!d i! t'is *ase3 t'e %are!ts 'ae er& little a-ilit& to 7"ro.7 i! t'eir role a!d "ai! *o!$ide!*e
i! .'at t'e& *a! do(
C'ildre! .ill 'ae as -e!*'mar+s t'a! t'eir immediate realities( T'is .ea+e!s t'eir a-ilit& to
i!te"rate i!to so*ial a!d %ro$essio!al li$e( Fi!all& red#*es isolatio! $or %are!ts a!d *'ildre!3 t'e
!#m-er o$ 7$ree7 a!d $rie!dl& relatio!s'i%s: o$te! t'e& are i! *o!ta*t o!l& .it' %eo%le %aid $or it( Or
t'e $rie!dl& a!d re*i%ro*al relatio!s'i%s -#ild t'e *a%a*it& o$ i!diid#als to t'i!+ a!d a*t( Aa!&
%are!ts sa& t'e& 'ae !o o!e to tal+ to a%art $rom t'eir *'ildre!( Eii!" so*ial a!d $rie!dl& ties
*o!tri-#tes "reatl& to t'e )#alit& o$ $amil& li$e a!d $amil& ties as to e6er*ise 'is %are!ti!" more
%ea*e$#ll&(
I! Se*o#rs Cat'oli)#e more t'a! 300 "ro#%s o$ $rie!dli!ess o$ a*tiities ,*oo+i!"3 *ra$ts3 or
ot'ers2 or e6*'a!"es are aaila-le $or ad#lts ,%are!ts or !ot2( T'ese "ro#%s meet re"#larl&(
T'e& 'el% to -#ild !e. relatio!s'i%s o$ tr#st3 s#%%ort ea*' ot'er( E6*'a!"es o! $amil& a!d
ed#*atio!al realities are to%i*s $re)#e!tl& dis*#ssed( Parti*#lar "ro#%s $or %are!ts also e6ist3
ta+i!" i!to a**o#!t t'e !eeds o$ e6*'a!"es a!d t'e .ords t'at eer& %are!t !eeds3 -#t
%er'a%s ee! more %are!ts lii!" i! %re*ario#s sit#atio!s(
8it'i! !et.or+s o$ lo*al s%o!sors'i%3 %are!ts a!d s%o!sors3 alo!" .it' ol#!teers3 allo.
*'ildre! to e6%erie!*e a tr#sti!" relatio!s'i% .it' "od%are!ts( As o!e 11 &ear old sa&s3
s%o!sored i! Na!tes: 7t'is is t'e "ro.i!" $amil&(7 I$ t'e *'ild is lii!" a !e. relatio!s'i%3 all
t'e a*tors are $ed( Pare!ts3 s%o!sors a!d ol#!teers are e!ri*'ed i! tr#sti!" e6*'a!"e(
All s'ares o$ meeti!"s3 o#ti!"s3 *o!iialit& o$ all +i!ds are also -roade!i!" t'e $ields o$
relatio!s'i%(
2
The negative recognition "y people and institutions!
C <2( 1ome responses show how, in cases where the faith of family members is either weak or
non4 e&istent, both the parish and the 5hurch in general are not seen as supportive. 6$ The ideal
of living as a family is viewed as unattainable and frustrating instead of as a possible means for
learning how to respond to one.s vocation and mission. D !&tract from the 'nstrumentum (aboris of
)une *+, *,-+.
Toda&3 -ei!" i!se*#re -ro#"'t %eo%le i!to a s&stem o$ de%e!de!*e a!d !e"atie re*o"!itio!(
I!de%e!de!*e i! lieli'oods s#*' as so*ial re*o"!itio! is esse!tial eleme!ts o$ t'e a*t#al
im%leme!tatio! o$ t'e ed#*atio!al %ro*ess $or %are!ts( Eie as %are!ts oer t'e deelo%me!t a!d t'e
iss#es i!'ere!t i! t'at role3 dema!d to -e re*o"!i4ed as *a%a-le o$ it -& ot'ers a!d -& t'e so*iet&( I!
t'e *o#rse o$ %are!ts lii!" i! %re*ario#s sit#atio!s3 .'at .ill -e t'e .ords3 la&ered loo+s or
remar+s made -& t'e s*'ool3 t'e so*ial .or+er or t'e F#d"e a!d sometimes t'e %aris'G O$te!3
loo+i!" at t'e $amil& realities as t'e res%o!ses are -#ilt almost all o! t'e -asis o$ a !e"atie *#lt#re
a!d a sear*' o$ t'e error a!d la*+( Stateme!ts made o! $amilies are %rimaril& o-seri!" .'at is
.ro!"3 i! attit#des as i! t'e lies o$ t'e $amil&( I! additio!3 assista!*e or aid de%e!de!*e a!d
dei*es realities res#lt i! t'e same "ear .ill !ot -e re*o"!i4ed as a! a*tor to ot'ers a!d t'e so*iet&(
E6%erie!*e s'o.s t'at i! %la*es or meeti!"s .'ere t'is loo+ is reersed3 ma!& t'i!"s *a! *'a!"e(
Co!sider .'at is e6%erie!*ed3 al#e .'at "oes .ell to t'e %ositie al#e3 a!d o$te! allo.s $amil&
a!d %erso!al deelo%me!ts(
8it'i! t'e ?o#ses Families3 t'e e6%erie!*e -et.ee! $amilies -ri!"s a !e. %eer tr#st %are!ts(
T'e %ositie "a4e #%o! ea*' ot'er3 allo.s %eo%le to eole i! t'eir role as %are!ts( A#*'
-etter t'a! o%i!io!s or adi*es3 s'ared e6%erie!*e o$$ers o%%ort#!ities .'ere eer&o!e is
reass#red( Re*i%ro*al relatio!s'i%s or $rie!ds'i%s t'at deelo% are -ot'3 !e. a!*'or %oi!t o$
re*o"!itio!3 -#t also a -ala!*ed relatio!s'i% .'ere !o!e is s#%erior to t'e ot'er(
5& ed#*atio!al s#%%ort3 it is *ertai!l& t'e *o!$ide!*e o$ t'e "ro.i!" *'ild3 -#t o$te! also o$
t'e %are!ts( T'e s*'ool is o$te! a %la*e o$ s#$$eri!" a!d $ail#re $or t'emseles a!d t'ere$ore
$eel i!*om%ete!t to a**om%a!& t'eir *'ildre! i! t'e %ro*ess( T'eir dista!*e $rom t'e s*'ool
is m#*' more related to $ear t'e& ma& -e e6%erie!*i!"3 t'at disi!terest i! s*'ool t'i!"(
I!stead3 t'e& %#t a 'o%e sometimes e6*essie i! .'at t'e s*'ool *a! do $or t'eir *'ildre!3
a!d loo+ to t'is i!stit#tio! as a! o%e!i!" $or t'e $#t#re3 .ell a.are t'at t'is is a! esse!tial
door e!tra!*e i!to so*iet&(
All a*tio!s t'at allo. %are!ts to 'ear a! e!*o#ra"i!" .ord or re*eie a %ositie o#tloo+ are
slo.l& *'a!"i!" t'eir *o!$ide!*e i! t'emseles as %are!ts a!d ad#lts( Creatiit&3 o#ti!"s3
"ro#%s3 e6*'a!"es3 re!tals3 are o%%ort#!ities to lie(
#uthority and responsi"ility!
I! Fre!*' so*iet& toda&3 t'e iss#e o$ ed#*atio!al res%o!si-ilit& .as e6te!ded massiel& o! si!"le
%are!ts as i$ t'e so*iet& a!d its o%eratio!s 'ad !o im%a*t( I! %arallel it is o-sered a massie
deelo%me!t o$ %are!ti!" %ro%osals ,&o# !eer +!o. e6a*tl& .'at t'e term *oers2 mai!l& $o*#sed
o! im%roi!" %are!ti!" s+ills( I$ it *a!!ot -e de!ied t'e o%%ort#!it& to deelo% t'ese s+ills is o!l& a
%art o$ t'e %ro*ess( 8it'o#t i!te"ratio! i!to so*iet&3 e6*'a!"es .it' ot'ers3 %ositie re*o"!itio! a!d
so*ial ties3 a#t'orit& a!d res%o!si-ilit& o$ %are!ts .ill -e more di$$i*#lt to im%leme!t(
Iss#es o$ a#t'orit& a!d res%o!si-ilit& *a! i!deed -e -#ilt -& i!tera*tio! .it'i! so*iet&( I$ *'ildre!
!eer see3 !or i! .ords !or i! $a*t3 t'at t'eir %are!ts are re*o"!i4ed a!d res%e*ted3 .'& .o#ld t'e&
*om%l& t'emG I$ it is ass#med t'at a si!"le %are!t *a!!ot ma!a"e to %ro%erl& ed#*ate a *'ild
3
7-e*a#se t'ere is o!l& o!e %are!t37 t'e! t'e %are!t .ill 'ae to $i"'t t'is !e"atie "a4e o! 'im a!d
t'e $#t#re o$ 'is *'ild3 i! additio! to t'e di$$i*#lties o$ li$e(
T'e lo*al s%o!sors'i% as o%e!i!" o%%ort#!ities $or *'ildre!3 allo.i!" %are!ts to -e %art o$ a
*ari!" ad#lt !et.or+( It is a *iti4e! a*tio! .'ere ea*' %erso! -ri!"s .'at 'e is3 'is
e6%erie!*e3 'is 'istor& a!d s'are .it' ot'ers $or t'e -e!e$it o$ *'ildre! -#t also o$ all t'e
ad#lts i!oled i! t'e a*tio!( T'is is a! e6am%le o$ 7lii!" to"et'er7 .'i*' o%e!s to t'is
%ositie re*o"!itio! o$ %are!ts t'at re$le*ts o! t'e .'ole $amil&(
Colle*tie 'olida& 'o%e tri%s are also mome!ts t'at3 -& -#ildi!" *o!$ide!*e i! t'e s'ared
time3 o$$er to $amilies .'o lie t'is e6%erie!*e a %ositie o#tloo+ t'at t'e& !eed( It also
'el%s to -#ild more li!+s3 re*i%ro*al3 .'ere eer&o!e dis*oers itsel$( Hol#!teers a!d
$amilies al.a&s *ome o#t #%set dis*oeries a!d e!*o#!ters t'e& did3 t'e !e. .a& t'e& loo+
#%o! ea*' ot'er(
$ack of self%confidence as parent!
C -+#. %hen parents, usually after an absence from the 5hurch for a long time, approach, the most
recommended approach is to readily accept them without making any distinctions. 7eceiving them
with a basic attitude of respect, a friendly disposition and a willingness to listen to their human and
spiritual needs creates a proper and beneficial atmosphere for communicating the "ospel
message. D !&tract from the 'nstrumentum (aboris of )une *+, *,-+.
5ei!" i! a s%iral o$ re*#rri!" %ro-lems a!d see t'e so*ial s%a*e is red#*ed3 "ies little o%%ort#!it&
$or %are!ts to $eed t'eir *o!$ide!*e i! t'emseles( 8'e! t'e& are "ie! t'e o%%ort#!it& to e6*'a!"e
-et.ee! ad#lts or %are!ts3 t'is $eeli!" o$ la*+ o$ sel$-*o!$ide!*e is "rad#all& *'a!"i!"( First 'ai!"
t'e o%%ort#!it& to dis*oer t'e .a& o$ %are!ts a!d $amilies 'as al.a&s 'arder times a!d )#estio!s
or do#-ts to oer*ome( T'#s t'e& dis*oered t'at t'e& are !ot alo!e a!d t'at ot'ers are
e6%erie!*i!" similar %ro-lems( T'e !e6t ste% .ill -e to -#ild t'e a!s.ers t'e& !eed to ma+e t'e
sit#atio!s t'e& e!*o#!ter3 .it' ot'ers(
T'e iss#e o$ sel$-*o!$ide!*e as %are!ts .ea+e!s adoles*e!t-%are!t relatio!s'i%s( I! t'is tro#-led
time3 se*#rel& 'old as a %are!t re)#ires some $or*e( Aa!& %are!ts demo!strate 'o. to lie i!
i!se*#rit& *om%li*ates matters: adoles*e!ts .'o 7s'ame7 o$ t'e stat#s o$ t'eir %are!ts3 %are!ts .'o
do !ot $eel le"itimate3 lassit#de o$ al.a&s 'ai!" to sa& 7!o73 la*+ o$ $i!a!*es3 !o %ro%osals to ma+e
to t'eirs so!s(
?olida& de%art#res o$$ered to more t'a! B 000 %eo%le i! t'e Se*o#rs Cat'oli)#e3 are o$te!
#sed to "rad#all& re"ai! sel$-*o!$ide!*e( O#t o$ t'eir !ei"'-o#r'ood3 meet !e. %eo%le3
dis*oer !e. %la*es a!d reitali4es o%e! t'e s%a*e o$ .'at is 7%ossi-le7( T'ese e6%erie!*es3
i! additio! to t'e -e!e$it o$ rela6atio!3 also o$$er to t'e $amilies a! o%%ort#!it& to stre!"t'e!
t'e -o!ds -et.ee! t'em( Ne. 'ori4o!s3 !e. e6%erie!*es3 i! a di$$ere!t setti!" %roide
o%%ort#!ities to meet a!d i!tera*t di$$ere!tl&(
A!& a*tio! t'at ma& e!'a!*e %are!ts i! t'e e&es o$ t'eir *'ildre!3 or t'ose o$ ot'ers3 as
sim%le a!d modest as it is3 .ill 'el% "rad#all& to -#ild t'is *o!$ide!*e3 t'is stre!"t' o$
%are!ts3 t'e a#t'orit& !eeded(
Cam%s a!d *olo!ies t'at *a! -e o$$ered to tee!a"ers *reate a $rame.or+ *o!d#*ie to
dis*#ssio!s a!d dialo"#es o! lii!" to"et'er a!d .it' t'e %are!ts( First3 t'e& a*t#all&
e6%erie!*e li$e i! a "ro#% d#ri!" t'e *am% -#t trade .it' ot'er &o#t' leaders also s'ed more
li"'t o! .'at is e6%erie!*ed .it' %are!ts( T'is e6%erie!*e3 .ell %re%ared .it' $amilies3 ma&
'el% to im%roe t'e relatio!s'i% -et.ee! %are!ts a!d &o#!" %erso!s(
B
The need to live pro&ects and e'periences outside the home (for the family, "ut also for parents
and children)!
Eii!" i! #!*ertai!t&3 is to -e i! a li$est&le t'at allo.s o!l& er& rarel& %roFe*ts( T'e stresses o$
lii!" *o!ditio!s leae er& little s%a*e3 re*reatio!3 or t'e %ossi-ilit& o$ !e. .'atsoeer( O!e
%erso! told #s3 75ei!" %oor are !ot a *'oi*e( Io# *a! !ot .a!t( 7 Eii!" i! t'ese *o!ditio!s3 *a!
atro%'& *a%a*it& $or *reatiit&3 i!itiaties s#*' as sel$-*o!$ide!*e3 o$te! atro%'&( A!d at t'e same
time3 $amil& li$e too( To e!ri*' t'emseles3 a $amil& !eeds eer& o!e o$ its mem-ers 7$eed7 o! t'e
o#tside to -ri!" i! $amil& li$e or i! marria"e3 .'at s'e .e!t t'ro#"' or e6%erie!*ed( Aa+e %la!s3
meeti!"s3 a!d e6%erie!*es o#tside t'e 'ome3 is ital $or t'e lii!" $amil& ties -#t also $or t'e %ro%er
deelo%me!t o$ ea*' mem-er o$ t'e $amil&( Es%e*iall& $or *'ildre!3 t'is eleme!t o$ dis*oer& ot'er
%la*es3 ot'er %eo%le a!d ot'er li!+s is %arti*#larl& !eeded( ItJs %art o$ .'at t'e! allo. t'em to -e i!
t'e so*ial li$e(
O! t'is %oi!t3 @0 &ears o$ /Famil& ?ome Re!tals0 .'ere $amilies a!d *'ildre! s'are a
a*atio! time to"et'er 3 .ee+s2 sometimes $or &ears3 'as -ro#"'t ma!& *'ildre! t'e
o%%ort#!it& to e6%a!d t'eir $amil& .orld i! a *o!$ide!t a!d .arm( A#*' eide!*e s'o.s
'o. t'is sim%le time s'ared t'eir 'olida& -ro#"'t a stro!" eleme!t i! t'eir li$e %at'(
A!ot'er stro!" %la*e $or *'ildre! -#t also $or %are!ts is t'e *olle*tie de%art#re i! *olo!ies
or *am%s $or *'ildre!( T'is allo.s lear!i!" to lie i! so*iet&3 t'e *ommo! *o!str#*tio!3
dialo"#e3 de-ate3 r#les o$ li$e3 a!d t'is a%art $rom 'is $amil& a!d i! !e. %la*es(
Alter!atiel&3 all %ro%osals 7%are!t-*'ildre!7 ,.ed!esda& .or+s'o%s3 $amil& o#ti!"s or
"ro#%3 *#lt#ral isits3 et*(2 are e6*elle!t o%%ort#!ities to s#%%ort $amil& ties3 a!d o$$er time
rela6i!" to all %are!ts a!d *'ildre!(
The strong impact of housing pro"lems, employment, lack of money on the realities and
familial relationships!
C 8,. 1ome parts of the world are showing signs of the price being paid by the family as a result of
economic growth and development, with mention to the much broader effects produced by the
economic crisis and the instability of the labor market. 'ncreasing 0ob insecurity, together with the
growth of unemployment and the conse9uent need to travel greater distances to work, have taken
their toll on family life, resulting in, among other things, a weakening of family relationships and
the gradual isolation of persons, causing even greater an&iety. D !&tract from the 'nstrumentum
(aboris of )une *+, *,-+.
: 83. The responses and observations widely and insistently refer to the economic hardships
endured by families as well as the lack of material resources, poverty and the struggle for
subsistence. This widespread phenomenon is not limited to developing countries only, but is also
mentioned in responses and observations from !urope and ;orth <merica. 'n such cases of e&treme
and increasing poverty, the family has to struggle for subsistence, a struggle to which the family
has to devote most of its energy. 1ome observations call for the 5hurch to raise a strong prophetic
voice concerning poverty which puts a strain on family life. D !&tract from the 'nstrumentum
(aboris of )une *+, *,-+.
T'e *o!*rete lii!" *o!ditio!s 'ae also a stro!" im%a*t o! t'e li$e a!d $amil& relatio!s'i%s(
?o#si!" red#*ed or #!'ealt'& %ro-lem o$ 'eat3 .ater3 la*+ o$ $#!ds3 .ill add $#rt'er strai!
relatio!s( T'is la*+ o$ %erso!al s%a*e a!d t'ere$ore dista!*e .ill *om%li*ate li$e i! *ommo!( 8'e!
t'at does !ot also mar+ t'e 'ealt' o$ ea*' ot'er: la*+ o$ %ria*&3 i!a-ilit& to eat meals to"et'er3 !o
%la*e to do 'ome.or+3 !o leis#re3 tired!ess3 stress3 *ost o$ *are3 (((
9
Pre*ario#s!ess also .ea+e!s *o#%les i! a 'ard .a&( Too small 'o#si!" t'at %roide !o o%%ort#!it&
$or *o#%les to isolate3 te!sio!s d#e to di$$i*#lties3 #!$oresee! ee!ts ,Fo- loss3 ill!ess3 et*(23 la*+ o$
%la*es $or ad#lts e6*'a!"es3 %erso!al 'istories t'at o$te! 'ars' im%a*t .it'i! t'e relatio!s'i%3 all o$
.'i*' lead to ma!& -rea+s i! *o#%les a!d $amilies( 5#t also 'o%e to *o!ti!#e3 t'e desire to -#ild is
"reat( I!ter"e!eratio!al relatio!s are also *om%romised( A!d it o$te! 'a%%e!s t'at relatio!s'i%s .it'
"ra!d%are!ts or *o#si!s are .ea+e!ed or *#t $or reaso!s o$ reso#r*es ,*ost o$ tra!s%ortatio!3 meals
$or re*eii!"3 (((2 eit'er -e*a#se o$ t'e te!sio!s t'at *a! "e!erate t'e di$$i*#lties o$ li$e( Pre*ario#s
or !ot3 te!sio!s or di$$i*#lties e6ist( 5#t t'e& *a! -e i!*reased -& t'e realities i! i!se*#rit&(
All %ro%osals $or %are!ts .'ose *'ildre! "o to Famil& ?ome Re!tal or *olo!ies are .el*ome
to allo. t'e *o#%le to $i!d: o#t%#t or meeti!"s "ro#%s( 8it'i! la&o$$ %ro"ram3 t'is time is
o$te! s#""ested( A!d %are!ts e6%ress to 'ae o!l& $e. o%%ort#!ities( Kro#%s also leae .it'
se!iors to re!e. t'ese i!dis%e!sa-le i!ter"e!eratio!al ties(
Ed#*atio!al iss#es are eide!t i! t'e realities o$ $amilies $a*i!" t'e Se*o#rs Cat'oli)#e( T'e& are
o$te! t'e mai! to%i* o$ dialo"#e or e6*'a!"e "ro#%s t'at meet re"#larl&(
I! t'ese %re*ario#s sit#atio!s $or %are!ts3 *'ildre! a!d $amil& are o$te! t'e o!l& treas#res o$ t'eir
li$e( T'e& %#t a "reat 'o%e3 des%erate to s#**eed i! ma+i!" a -etter $#t#re $or t'eir *'ildre! t'a!
t'e& 'ad( T'eir *'ildre! are as %re*io#s to t'em3 $i!d t'e ri"'t dista!*e to t'em is sometimes
di$$i*#lt( Io# see mot'ers t'at *a! !ot ima"i!e -ei!" se%arated $rom t'eir *'ildre! to .ar! or to
s*'ool3 a!d ta+i!" t'em a-sol#tel& eer&.'ere .it' t'em( T'is too *lose does !ot al.a&s allo.
t'em to +ee% a *alm attit#de i! *ase o$ re$#sal or a!"er o$ t'e *'ild3 or to a*t o$ a#t'orit&( A!d
ot'ers are !ot more i!oled !ot +!o.i!" )#ite 'o. to do it(
?o. to sa& !o .'e! &o# do !ot $eel 7le"itimate7 or t'at &o#Jre a$raid o$ losi!" t'e loe o$ t'e
*'ildre!G ?o. to 7sti*+ it o#t7 .'e! it is !ot re*o"!i4edG
U!do#-tedl&3 $amilies lii!" i! %re*ario#s sit#atio!s 'ae i! t'em3 dee% i! t'e -od& a!d 'eart3 a
.illi!"!ess to "et o#t a!d "reat 'o%e $or t'e $#t#re o$ t'eir *'ildre!3 t'at t'e& do !ot 'ae
e6%erie!*e o$ t'e same 7"alle&s7 t'a! t'emseles( 5#t 'o. to ma!a"e t'e dis%ro%ortio!ate 'o%e
t'at %are!ts i! di$$i*#lt sit#atio! 'ae i! t'e $#t#re a!d i! i!stit#tio!s ,s*'ools23 .'i*'3 i$ t'i!"s do
!ot "o .ell3 i!*reases t'eir se!se o$ !ot -ei!" #% to itG
3- The 2**+ investigation!
I! 200@3 Se*o#rs Cat'oli)#e *o!d#*ted a! i!esti"atio! *o!*er!i!" 1 000 %are!ts a!d <00 *'ildre!(
T'is 'as 'i"'li"'ted t'e s'i$t e6%erie!*ed a!d $elt -& $amilies a!d *'ildre!( T'e i!)#ir&3 ee! .it'
a $e. &ears o$ de*li!e3 reealed t'e same $i!di!"s as t'ose .e .ear toda&( S'e 'as t'is stre!"t' to
*arr& t'e oi*e o$ t'e %eo%le t'emseles a-o#t t'eir e6%erie!*es as a $amil&( To m& +!o.led"e3 !o
$#rt'er i!esti"atio! i! Fra!*e toda&3 *oers t'e .idest ad#lts a!d *'ildre! s%ea+i!" o! t'is s#-Fe*t(
I! t'is s#re&3 t'ree t&%es o$ $amilies .ere ide!ti$ied3 ,t'e %art i! itali*s is e6tra*t $rom t'e re%ort2:
1- Io#!" $amilies3 er& %oor a!d er& isolated: ='n this form of poverty, isolation and insecurity in
all areas combine to oppose to the youth and dynamism of those parents who do not give up. The
difficulties they e&perience are e&treme, whether they are documents, employment, housing or both,
and they have no surrounding who can help them. =
2 Aot'ers o!l& o$ adoles*e!t *'ildre!3 .'o s#$$er $rom isolatio!: =1ingle parenthood is
characteristic of this type of poverty. ...$ The poverty is e&treme at housing level, transportation,
employment, etc. /re9uency of contact with the school is lower that all families. There are the
parents who are most likely to say that it does not go well. >ost of those families have a family but
they meet each other occasionally, even never. >uch of them say they have nobody to talk to in case
<
of big problems. The isolation and loneliness that often accompanies it are very presents for these
families and result in a discomfort or ill health. ...$ These parents feel isolated and sometimes is
difficult to refuse something to children often in adolescence. They are e&periencing a heavy and
durable combining lack of resources and emotional isolation poverty2 women who do not work or
have a small 0ob, have little prospect, if things are allowed to go, to find a 0ob and live better. /or
this, we need to help them to have gain confidence in their abilities and to be helped to overcome
their isolation, those who are part of groups in this process are in this dynamic. =
3 5i" $amilies -#t -etter s#rro#!ded o! $rie!ds3 $amil& %la!: ='n these families the kind of poverty is
limited to material poverty2 work is not enough, or too fair, to live as many people and provide a
reasonable standard of living. The strength of his family is in their relationships inside and outside
any form of assistance that relieves their budget or allows them to be better during the holidays
seems particularly appropriate. =
B For *'ildre!: T'e i!esti"atio! so#"'t to a!al&se res%o!ses to assess .'at are t'e e$$e*ts o$
%oert& i!to a li$e o$ *'ild( 8'at mea!s /a %oor *'ild toda&G0
=The property at their disposal2 poverty shifts. <nd in particular creating a gap for access to
culture2 no 'nternet connection, no dictionary or books.
/amily life2 poverty sur4responsablise. 't seems that children and young people should be
autonomous sooner and behave as if they were older. ?repare earlier meals, keep siblings, eating
alone, less output and leisure$.
7elational environment2 poverty isolated. They are less the possibility to talk to someone in case of
trouble or worry. They have fewer friends and invite them not often, because they don.t have the
means or the desire. 'n the field of violence, fighting or bullying, it is clearly a matter of age. The
principal place of fights and bullying is school.
<t school2 poverty undermines trust. < standard of living e9ual, the poorest are often homework
alone and have poorer school performance. ;ote that this is a sub0ective assessment made by
young people about their results and not an ob0ective measure2 this reveals in the poor a lower self4
confidence in which the fact of working mostly alone is not trivial. @esides, if they don.t do their
homeworks, is because they don.t do them more often, don.t want, they don.t have time.
<fter school, for the poorest families, care of siblings by the elderly is more usual.
Aacation and recreation3 poverty breeds boredom. 5hildren and adolescents of insecure families
are twice as likely as others to do nothing special. Outings and family vacations are related to the
standard of living and the most penalized are the children. This is a conse9uence of the increased
isolation that accompanies causes and financial difficulties following.
?erception of life2 more somatic for children, more rational for teenager. <t the same age, poorer
feel less well than others. <nd in e9ual status, children feel less well than adolescents, whether
discomfort or actual disease. 1omatic perception is children and rational perception is the teenager.
'n fact, because of the relationships they are able to establish and they came to get, the teenagers
overcome a number of shortcomings, but they feel their lives more severely.
%hat they like, dislikes, want or fear today2 the family at the heart of support, e&pectations and
fears.
8'at is "ood i! li$e3 itJs mostl& t'e $amil&: =%e love each other in the family, parents who love me,
my parents are still together, love his family and be loved, that all family to be together, to have
@
parents and feel happy is that ' feel well with my mother and my brothers, my mother loves me,
family life.=
8'at t'e& li+e least: first is the school =school, math, homework, be punished, get up in the
morning, my grades,= but also =they laugh me at school, =which echoes the bullying suffered.
/ollowed the family problems. The children, mostly, hate arguments, tensions and 9uarrels. /or
teenagers, the category of personal worries are over4represented =lack of confidence, insult on my
physical, on my weight.= Then come the lack of leisure and deprivation.
I! order t'at li$e is t'e -est %ossi-le: first comes the family, =the family is reunited, my parents are
together, see more of my father, having a mother, brothers and sisters, less arguing with my mother
or sister, be complicit with my parents, dad have a stable 0ob, papers, and is not sick. = Then comes
more money.
8'at s'o#ld *ertai!l& !ot 'a%%e!: concerns family in # of -, cases. <nd ma0or problems include
=the death, illness of parents, the breakup, separation from the family=, but also =my father to pick
me up, be placed in host family, addresses my family, mother is sick and sad.=
'n conclusion,
?overty isolates families and the most troubled are those who combine isolation and poverty.
'solation that strongly reflects on children.
/ighting child poverty, or rather the negative effects of poverty, would rather strengthen parents
who, the investigation shows, children rely primarily. <nd who are the first to give their children the
way of life that allows them to live in confidence, provided they to have the means.=
,% -hat invitation to society.
First3 it mea!s t'at -e&o!d t'e material3 ario#s -oards3 or i!*rease s+ills t'at are3 i! %art3 !eeded3
the first /aiting families and individuals in poverty is the recognition, trust, the friendship
and relationships /ith others. 5ei!" li+e eer&o!e3 to -e *o!sider !ot as someo!e to 'el% -#t as a
$#ll *iti4e!3 mem-er o$ a %art!ers'i% t'at leaes 'im a real %la*e(
So t'ese are t'e iss#es o$ lii!" to"et'er t'at are s%otted(
From more lo*al to more !atio!al3 -e&o!d dire*t aid dei*es t'at e6ist3 t'ese are t'e realities o$ li$e3
so*ial relatio!s3 *o!ditio!s o$ e6iste!*e a!d e6er*ise o$ *iti4e!s'i% )#estio!ed( Aa!& lii!" areas
are *o!*er!ed .it'3 i! t'e $irst %la*e3 t'e lo*al *omm#!it& a!d its or"a!i4atio! $or a real so*ial
diersit&( 8it' t.o im%orta!t leers: it1s a mode o$ im%leme!tatio! a!d "a4e #%o! ea*' ot'ers(
8e m#st .or+ to *'a!"e t'e loo+ o$ i!stit#tio!s a!d i!diid#als o! $amilies: e!di!" t'e o!-"oi!"
sear*' $or t'e i!a-ilit& or la*+( Ee! t'e Fo#!datio! $or C'ild Prote*tio! ,L#!e 201B2 raise t'e
)#estio! o$ *'a!"i!" a %aradi"m s'i$t3 it reali4es t'at t'is mode o$ a!al&sis a!d loo+ *a!1t allo. a
%ositie *'a!"e i! i!diid#als a!d $amilies( Aa!& $amilies also $ear so*ial .or+ers3 ee! .ell-
i!te!tio!ed a!d er& *om%ete!t3 $or $ear o$ t'e e$$e*ts ,or ot'er i!estme!t2(
8'at more %ro%osals *o#ld -e s#%%orted to t'e *iti4e!s .'o moe -arriers a!d %reF#di*es
,s%o!sors'i%3 $amil& 'omes3 *olle*tie 'olida&3 *olle*tie a*tio!s3 et*(2
T'e ot'er e6%e*ted deelo%me!t o$ i!stit#tio!s .o#ld -etter ta+e i!to a**o#!t i! a!& re%orts o!
$amilies3 t'e im%a*t o$ lii!" *o!ditio!s o! $amil& li$e( I$ t'e $amil& sit#atio! is te!se3 do !ot .e
see+ to im%roe 'o#si!" *o!ditio!s3 'el% t'em $i!d a Fo- or *reate a s%a*e $or so*ial -o!d to
remoe m#*' o$ t'e te!sio!G
8'ile it is im%orta!t to s#%%ort %are!ts3 'o. to *reate more %la*es $or %ositie %are!ti!" $or#ms $or
e6*'a!"es o$ e6%erie!*e a!d lied amo!" %eers3 .'i*' restore *o!$ide!*e a!d a-ilit& to a*t(
Aa!& ot'er to%i*s remai!s .'i*' .o#ld "reatl& im%roe t'e lies o$ $amilies:
=
- - A -etter $i!a!*ial s#%%ort $or a!& *am% a!d *olo!& as %la*es o$ so*iali4atio! !e*essar& $or
&o#!" %eo%le(
- - A re$le*tio! o! t'e im%a*t o$ s'i$t .or+ ,seri*e Fo-s or lar"e area2 o! $amil& li$e(
- - A -etter a**ess to 'o#si!" a!d em%lo&me!t(
- - A! im%roeme!t o$ mo!itori!" s&stems a!d mea!s o$ %#-li* tra!s%ort ,es%e*iall& r#ral2(
- - Re$le*t o! t'e role o$ %are!ts i! t'e s*'ool(
5% -hat invitation for the Church.
: +#. The 5hurch needs to provide care for families living in critical and stressful situations,
ensuring that the family be attended in its entirety. The 9uality of the relationships within the family
must be of utmost concern for the 5hurch. 'nitial support originates in a parish, which is the
family of families. 't is the principal center of a renewed pastoral care which receives and guides
people and is animated by sentiments of mercy and tenderness. D !&tract from the 'nstrumentum
(aboris of )une *+, *,-+.
: 8-. 'n dialoguing with the 1tate and the related public entities, the 5hurch is called to offer real
support for decent 0obs, 0ust wages and a fiscal policy favouring the family as well as programs of
assistance to families and children. D !&tract from the 'nstrumentum (aboris of )une *+, *,-+.
It is a *all to a!ot'er lie to"et'er3 i! a!ot'er e!*o#!ter -et.ee! %erso!s a!d $amilies( T'is is to
moe to.ard less F#d"me!tal3 more dis*oeries a-o#t t'e realit& o$ t'e ot'er3 to oer*ome
%reF#di*es a!d $ears( L#st li+e t'e .ord o$ Les#s to t'e .oma! *a#"'t i! ad#lter&: 7Eet 'im .'o is
.it'o#t si! *ast t'e $irst sto!e(7 8'at lies dail& a $amil& is o$te! -#ilt o! a %erso!al 'istor& o$
ea*'( T'e do .e +!o.G 8e are i!ited to -ri!" a loi!" "a4e3 -e!eole!t3 i! t'e ima"e o$ C'rist3
a!d to -e o%e! to ot'er realities(
?o. are .e -rot'ers .it' o#r di$$ere!*esG 8'at s%a*es o$ li!+s3 meeti!"s a!d dialo"#es .it'i! o#r
!ei"'-o#r'oods13 o#r %aris'esG
8'& F#d"e t'e $amil& o$ t'e ot'erG Do .e +!o. .'at t'e& lieG Are .e a.are o$ t'e .ei"'t o$
*ertai! *o!strai!ts or sit#atio!s o$ %re*ario#s!essG Do .e loo+ at t'e $amil& str#*t#re or .'at is
a*t#all& lied3 .or!3 'a!ded do.! .it'i! t'e $amil& $irstG ?o. .e -#ilt *'#r*' a!d so*iet&
to"et'erG 8'at .ord do .e .ear to *'#r*' $or t'e de$e!*e o$ t'e %oor a!d ta+i!" i!to a**o#!t F#st
i! t'e so*iet& all $amilies a!d all *'ildre!G
All t'ese )#estio!s 'ae a%%eared at t'e Dia*o!ia meeti!"3 Eo#rdes3 i! 2013( 8it'i! t'e For#m o$
Families3 390 %eo%le 'ad t'e o%%ort#!it& to e6*'a!"e $or a 'al$-da& e6%erie!*e o$ $amil& li$e( A
s'ort $ilm .as t'e .ord o$ %eo%le $rom all .al+s o$ $o#r di$$ere!t dio*eses( All e6%ressed 'o.
im%orta!t $amil& is3 'o. t'is %la*e o$ relatio!s'i%s s'o#ld -e s#%%orted a!d al#ed( Aa!& also told
'o. t'eir lies made 'er .ea+( T'e tea*'i!" .as sim%le( Eer&t'i!" is or"a!i4ed aro#!d t'ree
)#estio!s:
- 8'at does it ta+e $or a $amil& to -e 'a%%&G
- ?o. to 'old .'e! itJs di$$i*#ltG
- 8'at .e e6%e*t $rom t'e *'#r*'G
All %rese!t .ere mi6ed( 8it'o#t +!o.i!"3 i! small "ro#%3 t'e& s'ared a-o#t 'is )#estio!s(
E6%ressi!" t'eir 'a%%i!ess a!d t'eir $amil& s#$$eri!"(
A!d .'at is .o#!d #% li+e e6%e*tatio!s o$ all t'e %arti*i%a!ts to.ards t'e *'#r*' *orres%o!ded to
*reate %la*es to tal+ more a-o#t t'emseles3 oer*ome %reF#di*e3 o#t o$ isolatio!3 lii!" a -rot'erl&
a!d $rie!dl& time3 i! t'e !ei"'-o#r'oods i! t'e %aris'es( 5ei!" i!e!tie to *reate o%e! %la*es o$
*ele-ratio!3 s%irit#al s'ari!"3 a!d %at's o$ $ait'( O#r *omm#!ities *a! -e*ome %la*es o$ i!terse*tio!
;
a!d i!tera*tio! -et.ee! i!diid#als a!d $amilies lii!" di$$ere!t realities( It is t'e .ealt' o$ t'e
*'#r*' a!d o#r *omm#!ities to -e a .el*omi!" %la*e $or all(
01very family is a promise that commits us0 Secours Catholique, $ourdes in 2*22.
10