The 'Badanti' (Informal Carers) Phenomenon in Italy: Characteristics and Peculiarities of Access to the Health Care System 1

Observing and studying the caregiver phenomenon means, above all, analysing female migration, which is a particular characteristic of Italian immigration. In this paper, we examine and describe the informal caregiver phenomenon in Italy, emphasising the role these women play in the family-based welfare system. We describe the phenomenon, or care work, to analyse the role of the caregiver (as resource and as user) in the Italian welfare system. We argue that these women care workers are isolated from the rest of the Italian community and are not sufficiently integrated within the Italian welfare system. Their presence has transformed the Italian welfare system.