Discriminazioni normative e sociali verso le famiglie adottive in Italia

In scientific literature and public discourse, adoptive families and their children remain largely invisible with respect to the forms of discrimination to which they may be exposed. This article examines how, within the Italian regulatory framework, certain welfare measures and policies supporting parenthood prove discriminatory toward adoptive households, despite the principle of equal treatment established by Legislative Decree 151/2001. Drawing on an empirical analysis, the article highlights critical issues in several areas, including the «bonus mamme» (L. 213/2023) and the protections for custodial parents during the pre-adoptive phase. Current regulations, designed around standard family models, fail to take into account the complexity of the adoptive experience, thereby hindering full access to welfare rights.