Abstract
Introduction
The migration process involves a series of occupational, social, and cultural challenges; however, when this process involves unaccompanied youth who become institutionalized, it radically changes their entire performance and occupational identity.
Objective
To analyze the occupational impact of unaccompanied youth institutionalized in a protection and emergency service in Catalonia, Spain.
Method
Ethnographic study that used as an information-gathering technique: field observations, semi-structured interviews, and informal conversations, which were transcribed and coded through a content analysis process.
Results
They brought up three main themes that explain the phenomenon a) The precarious context of the country of origin: the construction of the migratory desire, b) Institutional racism: cultural production of social discrimination and c) Occupational deprivation: as a limitation for autonomy and cultural insertion.
Conclusion
The influence of institutionalization is evidenced as a structural factor that limits the choice and occupational participation of young people. This problem takes refuge in a legal imperative of “protection” that ends up reproducing a system of colonial, racial, and welfare discrimination that violates the human rights of young migrants.
Keywords:
Social Justice; Human Rights; International Migration; Youth; Occupational Therapy