ABSTRACT
The inadequacy of the legislation governing the acquisition of citizenship is clearly the result of a 'squint-eyed' approach on the part of the government and Parliament. Indeed, while waiting to acquire Italian citizenship, while they have reached adulthood and the entitlements and guarantees they enjoyed as minors have come to an end, they do not automatically become entitled to other fundamental rights, including the right to vote. This analysis pertains to some of the most salient themes linked to the constitutionally protected legal status of immigrants' children who, born in Italy or arriving in Italy at a tender age, have been educated in Italian schools and have grown up in that country's social context from their earliest years. Considering the importance of the fundamental rights being denied to young, second-generation immigrants, the argument in favour of a graduated recognition of rights relating to a variety of legal statuses generating different levels of inclusion appears still less appropriate.
