The Crisis in Slovenian Youth Institutions: A Cry for Help
In 1996, there were 280 children and adolescents housed in educational institutions, today there are 300 more. The cost of accommodating one young person to the state is 60,000 euros per year. Directors of professional centers or former educational institutions gathered for a conference in the National Council and are calling on the state for help. Prevention and early intervention could prevent the problems of many children and adolescents, but the system has failed.
Urgent Need for System Reform
Leonida Zalokar, the president of the Association of Management Workers of Professional Centers, has been leading the Planina Institute for 17 years and has been alerting authorities to the urgent need for system reform for just as long: “We talk about programs, institutions, what we have established, but we don’t know what they actually do, what they can boast about, we have no evaluations whatsoever.” The system’s failure is evident in many of their wards: “When we read the history of the children we receive in the institution, we see that there was actually no help, there was nothing that the child really needed. The disorder therefore continued, in the meantime, 15 professionals were replaced.“
“They Can’t Do Anything to Me”
Given the dysfunctional system, she is concerned about a boy who, last summer, at the age of 15, killed his father: “According to the information I received, he should be released soon.” The question arises whether he was correctly diagnosed and received appropriate help to prevent him from being a danger to himself and others. Many parents say – as heard at the conference – that they have asked for help for their children, but did not receive it.
Borut Marolt, the principal of the Logatec Professional Center, describes the case of a 13-year-old who attacked doctors at the University Medical Center in Ljubljana, and they locked themselves in a room: “This young person said that he is aware that they can’t do anything to him.“
Staffing Shortages
In Logatec, they had an open call for a kindergarten teacher for the entire month of September, but not a single candidate applied. In Planina, they have not been accepting children since April, due to staff shortages they plan to close one department. Leonida Zalokar says they have never been at the bottom like this before. This year, professional centers together have posted a total of 359 vacant positions.
Employment in a professional center means working at night and on weekends, which more and more people are avoiding, as is already known from healthcare facilities. It also means that the employee must be trained enough to handle, for example, a 100-kilogram, 19-year-old with a severe aggressive outburst. “Physical violence against employees is almost daily. Our appeals to the court that such a child needs stricter supervision are unheard,” says Zalokar.
One-Third of Youth in Institutions Do Not Belong There
More than a third of young people are placed in institutions without prior diagnostics, says Zalokar: “They are placed with us because they have nowhere else to go. These children are a social problem and have no emotional or behavioral disorders. A judge called me and said, ‘I know he doesn’t belong with you, but I have nowhere else to put him.’ Professional centers have become orphanages, hospitals, and prisons in one.” Many children are placed in institutions because there is a shortage of foster families.
Wrong Ideology
“There is no European country that has not been dealing with heartless children for decades or more, except Slovenia,” explains Zalokar and again cites the example of a child they treated years ago at their institution: “Even as a child, he showed signs of heartlessness and cruelty to people and animals. He was capable of doing terrifying things for pleasure. When we wrote assessments about this child, we received reactions from professionals who said, ‘Oh, you can’t write that about a child, talk to him a little.’” A few years ago, when this child reached the age of 35, he committed murder.
The gap between theory and practice is enormous. Zalokar has been warning authorities for years based on their experiences at their institution that the ideology institutions follow must be changed, and that it does not work for a certain percentage of young people: “The ideology follows friendly directions, the most horrifying findings about the child try to be wrapped in cellophane, losing the essence that the adolescent is dangerous to the environment. The ideology of some sectors is very dangerous and responsible for the state we are in. Decades of soft approaches eventually lead to a person who is violent towards others, even though the system has dealt with him for I don’t know how many years. It is right to say that locking up children is the last option, but for some, it is the only option, because only if you lock them up, can you stop them from destroying themselves and others.“
Redefining Parenthood
Soft approaches in institutions and the still prevalent permissive upbringing at home, even though it has been found some time ago how harmful it is. “We live in a time when narcissistic parents raise narcissistic children,” says Marolt. And also at a time when rights may sometimes be too much. The principal of the Višnja Gora Professional Center, Peter Pal, points out cases of 13, 14, or 15-year-olds, hard drug addicts, who have every right to refuse treatment: “This same minor is sent to the institution by the court, but when attempts are made to achieve cessation of addiction, he can terminate the treatment program at any time. This does not happen in European countries.“
Conclusion
The crisis in Slovenian youth institutions is a complex issue that requires urgent attention and reform. The current system is failing many young people, leading to dangerous situations and inadequate care. It is imperative that authorities listen to the calls for help from professionals in the field and take concrete steps to address the staffing shortages, diagnostic processes, and ideology that guide these institutions. Only through comprehensive reform can we ensure the safety and well-being of the youth in Slovenia.
FAQ
What is the cost of accommodating a young person in Slovenian institutions?
Accommodating one young person in Slovenian institutions costs the state approximately 60,000 euros per year.
How many vacant positions were posted by professional centers in Slovenia this year?
This year, professional centers in Slovenia posted a total of 359 vacant positions, highlighting the staffing shortages in the system.
Title: The Rise of E-Commerce in the Post-Pandemic World
Introduction:
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly accelerated the shift towards online shopping, with e-commerce experiencing unprecedented growth in recent years. As the world gradually recovers from the effects of the global health crisis, it is becoming increasingly clear that e-commerce is here to stay. In this article, we will explore the reasons behind the rise of e-commerce in the post-pandemic world and its impact on businesses and consumers.
The Impact of COVID-19 on E-Commerce
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced businesses to adapt to the rapidly changing consumer behavior, with many traditional brick-and-mortar retailers shifting their focus to online sales. This shift has been driven by several factors, including:
– Social distancing measures and lockdowns that have limited in-person shopping
– Consumers’ preference for convenience and safety
– The closure of physical stores leading to a surge in online shopping
– The rise of remote work and digital communication, making online shopping more accessible
The Growth of E-Commerce Platforms
E-commerce platforms such as Amazon, Alibaba, and Shopify have seen tremendous growth during the pandemic, as consumers increasingly turned to online shopping for their everyday needs. These platforms offer a wide range of products, fast delivery options, and secure payment methods, making them the preferred choice for many shoppers.
The Advantages of E-Commerce for Businesses
E-commerce offers businesses numerous advantages, including:
– The ability to reach a global audience and expand their customer base
– Lower overhead costs compared to traditional retail stores
– Data-driven insights that help businesses understand consumer preferences and behavior
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The Future of E-Commerce
As we look towards the future, it is clear that e-commerce will continue to play a significant role in the retail industry. Businesses that embrace digital transformation and invest in their online presence are likely to thrive in the post-pandemic world. Additionally, advancements in technology such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality are expected to further enhance the e-commerce experience for consumers.
Conclusion:
The rise of e-commerce in the post-pandemic world is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of businesses in the face of unprecedented challenges. As consumers increasingly turn to online shopping for their everyday needs, businesses that prioritize their digital presence and offer a seamless shopping experience are poised for success in the new normal.
FAQs:
Q: How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted e-commerce?
A: The pandemic has accelerated the shift towards online shopping, with businesses turning to e-commerce to adapt to changing consumer behavior.
Q: What are the advantages of e-commerce for businesses?
A: E-commerce offers businesses the ability to reach a global audience, lower overhead costs, access to data-driven insights, and the flexibility to adapt to market conditions quickly.