Across Barcelona, around 1 in 6 homes with children live in energy precarity. But ‘averages’ mask a starker reality: in some districts the figure doubles. That living in energy precarity hits children and teens especially hard – with impacts that go far beyond health – is clear from an innovative study by Irene Gonzalez of Catalan’s Enginyeria Sense Fronteres (ESF).
Many young children living in energy precarity don’t get enough to eat, as parents make the difficult decision between paying electricity bills or buying groceries. Over time, living in cold homes leads to respiratory illnesses and slower physical and mental development. In turn, such youth often underperform in school, translating into lifelong impacts.
Through interviews with children and teens, Gonzalez gained new insights into serious mental health impacts they face, linked to the stigma associated with poor living conditions or poor hygiene. In turn, this causes feelings of isolation, guilt, and stress. Making the essential social connections youth need can be impossible. Teens who crave independence, privacy and strong relationships with friends are impacted especially strongly. Feeling embarrassed about their situation may prevent them from finding ways to express their emotions.
Family dynamics also take a hit, as teens blame their parents for being unable to provide basic things that their peers have. For parents, constantly having to say ‘no’ to so many things their children want and need causes deep pain, especially for single mothers. Many parents interviewed by ESF reported crying late at night to hide their despair from their children.
As time goes by, the situation often spirals downward. Families who have been evicted from their homes may resort to occupying vacant buildings and making do with illegal electricity connections that pose risks of electrocution and fire.
What needs to change to unburden youth of energy precarity? While specific policies, such as a universal child allowance, help reduce energy precarity in some EU countries, Spain has not yet implemented such measures. In parallel to advocating for such an allowance, ESF calls for deeper change, including a right to a secure and low-cost energy supply, especially in homes with minors. ESF stresses that while Spanish law upholds the right to children to an education and a healthy life, energy precarity undermines both. Teaching youth about energy rights and bringing them into the discussion and action could also inspire long-term change.
Enginyeria Sense Fronteres (Engineeers without Borders) is a group of engineering professionals, teachers and students dedicated to guaranteeing universal access to basic services.