The summer of inequality: after three months of school closures, not everyone is starting over the same way.

In Italy, summer isn't the same for everyone . Three months of school closures—one of the longest breaks in Europe—are putting families and communities to the test. Nearly one in two families reports difficulties for children and adolescents as they return to school. Three in ten note a loss of skills or deterioration in relationships.

These are just some of the results of the survey launched in July 2025 by WeWorld , which, together with the duo Mamma di Merda —a project promoting irreverent and ironic education about motherhood—asked Italian families to share how they experience this season. More than 3,000 responses and nearly a thousand testimonies make up a collective story —which can be found in full on the WeWorld website — made up of hardships, but also of proposals that look to the future . A starting point for opening a genuine dialogue with institutions and rethinking school time, starting from the direct experience of children, families, and the broader educational community.

The long summer break is a time of emptiness that falls almost entirely on families, turning into a daily balancing act between costs, holidays, and work . But it's not just an organizational issue: it's a question of rights, well-being, and equal opportunities.

When schools close, balancing family and work commitments becomes a real challenge for many Italian families. One in 20 parents even gives up job opportunities or quits their job to cope with summer vacations.

In this scenario, inequalities are amplified : summer camps are too expensive for many families, and accessible alternatives are few. Thus, for many girls, boys, and adolescents, summer risks becoming a time suspended : without safe spaces to grow, learn, and connect, isolation and vulnerability increase. The situation is even more critical in vulnerable contexts—where educational and recreational opportunities are scarcer—or when a family member has a disability.

Based on the responses received—mostly from women—mothers are often the ones who pay the highest price, continuing to shoulder the disproportionate burden of caregiving. "I don't work because, without much support, I had to leave. A more staggered school year, full-time schooling throughout the year, and guaranteed school attendance even in August would allow me to return to work not only for financial gain, but also to avoid the burnout that I and so many parents suffer from," reads one testimonial.

Although more than 4 out of 5 families enroll their children in summer camp , this possibility varies greatly depending on where one lives, the composition of the family, and the presence of children with disabilities . In the South, the percentage is 3 out of 5.

The average cost is around €530 per child for the entire summer, with enrollment typically lasting four and a half weeks , compared to a 13- to 14-week school break. This cost also includes other costs to cover the summer camp budget, such as babysitters or other educational staff.

Fewer families with children with disabilities choose summer camps, approximately 7 out of 10 , due to access difficulties or the still insufficient provision of inclusive services. Those unable to utilize this option face a more complex expense picture. In these cases, the cost of €460 is higher than the national average (€338 per child) for those who choose alternatives to summer camps, probably because those with children with disabilities must seek specialized professionals.

Spending time with friends and playing together is essential for the growth of children and adolescents. It's not just about having fun, but also about learning, interacting with peers, and feeling good. But during the summer, many minors in Italy lose this opportunity. Overall, more than 4 in 10 families (42%) say that children were unable to maintain relationships with friends during the summer . If families have children with disabilities, these obstacles often compound, amplifying the gap, and the figure rises to nearly 6 in 10. "It's always difficult to maintain relationships with friends during the summer. Only children suffer the most from summer loneliness. In September, everything often has to be rebuilt; when they're young, if months go by, they 'forget' about friendships."

The long summer break impacts not only children's well-being but also their learning . Those without access to educational opportunities, even during the summer, are also exposed to long-term consequences such as failing grades, dropping out, increased educational poverty, and so-called summer learning loss . Nearly 1 in 2 families (46%) report difficulties for their sons and daughters as they return to school in September, while approximately 1 in 3 families (31%) observe a decline in academic skills or a deterioration in behavior and social relationships. "I believe that so many months at home 'without school' are not good for our children. There is holiday homework, that's true, but let's take my daughter as an example. She loves going to school and is very good at it: in these months, she has little desire to do her homework because she is under-stimulated and has become unaccustomed to the school environment."

The results of this survey are not just a snapshot of the current situation, but a call to action. We have collected the voices of families who speak out about a reality that can no longer be ignored: summer is not just a school break, it is a time that amplifies inequalities . With the campaign, together with Mamma di Merda, " Let's re-study the calendar "—and the petition that has already collected over 75,000 signatures—WeWorld proposes redesigning school time , making it more in line with the real lives of families and guaranteeing the rights of boys and girls, without widening inequalities. The data collected will be used to develop policies, to demand that the realities of those who experience these difficulties every year are finally heard. It's a question of rights, of social justice, of not leaving anyone on the margins.

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