The Italian high school graduation exam, known as the Maturità, has once again become a focal point of public discourse, this time centered around the inclusion of a text by Frank Furedi, a Hungarian-born British sociologist known for his close ties to Viktor Orbán’s political movement. The selected passage comes from Furedi's book I confini contano (Borders Matter), published in Italy by Meltemi in 2021. This excerpt explores the phenomenon of "adultescenti"—individuals who delay adulthood, avoiding responsibilities and continuing to live as if still young—while also addressing the broader societal issue of eroding boundaries, both physical and conceptual. The text was chosen by the Ministry of Education and Merit as one of the possible topics for the first written Italian language exam in the Maturità 2026 session. Students were asked to reflect on what truly constitutes maturity and why reaching adulthood is often perceived as a burden today.
Furedi, born in Budapest in 1948, fled Hungary after the 1956 revolution, eventually settling in the United Kingdom. He became a professor emeritus of sociology at the University of Kent and authored over thirty books. His work spans themes such as the mechanisms of fear, the impact of social uncertainty, and the dynamics fueling cultural wars in Western societies. In the selected passage, he argues that the concept of borders is under attack, dismissed as outdated or discriminatory. According to Furedi, this erosion extends beyond geopolitical maps—it affects anthropological and social boundaries, such as those between public and private life, men and women, adults and children. He contends that a society without clear boundaries is culturally adrift and urges humanity to rediscover the necessity of drawing lines to provide structure and meaning.
The inclusion of Furedi’s text in the Maturità exam sparked debate among educators and politicians. Critics, particularly from the left, accused the government of selecting a theme aligned with a particular ideological stance, suggesting that the choice reflected a politicization of education rather than an objective academic decision. Some argued that the focus on borders and the critique of modern fluidity could be seen as promoting a more traditional or conservative worldview. Others defended the selection, emphasizing its relevance in understanding contemporary social challenges and encouraging critical thinking about identity, responsibility, and societal cohesion.
In contrast, another widely chosen topic came from the writings of Mario Calabresi, a prominent Italian journalist and former editor-in-chief of La Stampa. His book Alzarsi all’alba (Rising at Dawn) discusses the value of hard work, sacrifice, and daily effort. This theme resonated strongly with students, with over 23% opting for it. Calabresi himself expressed surprise at the inclusion of his work in the exam, noting that the book was inspired by conversations with students preparing for their exams. He described the text as focusing on the importance of perseverance and the role of struggle in achieving success.
Other notable selections included an article by German journalist Wenke Husmann, which explored the concept of wonder in the age of empirical science, and a speech by Giuseppe Saragat, the first president of the Italian Republic, delivered during the Constituent Assembly in 1948. These texts offered students opportunities to engage with historical reflections, philosophical questions, and contemporary issues related to communication and creativity.
Despite the controversies surrounding the choice of Furedi’s text, the overall exam format aimed to provide a broad range of options, allowing students to choose based on personal interest and familiarity. The Maturità remains a significant milestone in Italian education, shaping the academic and professional trajectories of hundreds of thousands of students each year. As debates continue over the influence of ideology in curriculum design, the exam serves as a microcosm of broader societal discussions on education, identity, and the future of Western civilization.
5 reports
OpenIndependentCenterFactual 90Objective 8020 days agoThe Italian Ministry of Education has selected a text by sociologist Frank Furedi for the 2026 Italian Maturity Exam (Maturità). The chosen passage, titled 'I confini contano' (published in Italy by Meltemi in 2021), discusses the phenomenon of 'adultescenti'—individuals who delay adulthood by prolonging youthful behaviors. Students are asked to reflect on what makes someone truly mature and why reaching adulthood is often seen as burdensome today.
Bias read (Center): The article provides factual information about the selection of a text for an educational exam without taking a stance on the content or author's views. It reports on the inclusion of Frank Furedi’s work but does not frame it with ideological bias or present one-sided perspectives.
Why these scores (Factual 90 · Objective 80): Some contextual background but less focus on the actual exam content. Opinionated commentary on the difficulty of the passage.
OpenIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 8020 days ago Maturity, the most chosen track is the piece by Calabresi. Then the theme on confini and adultescenti by Furedi: the classificationOver 23% of students chose a passage from journalist Mario Calabresi's work for their Italian exam, making it the most selected track. The second most chosen was a passage from Frank Furedi's essay 'I confini contano,' selected by 20.7% of examinees. Data comes from a representative national survey conducted by the Ministry of Education.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on student choices for an exam without taking a stance or using biased language. It presents data objectively based on a survey by the Ministry of Education.
Why these scores (Factual 85 · Objective 80): The article provides detailed statistics on the most chosen tracks for the Italian Maturità exam, citing percentages and sources like the Ministry of Education. The data aligns with the cross-source consensus but lacks specific contextual details about the impact of these choices or deeper analysis.
Il GiornaleParty-alignedCenterFactual 75Objective 6519 days agoThe article discusses the Italian high school exams (maturità), focusing on the topics chosen by students, particularly those related to the works of Carlo Pavese and the sociologist Frank Furedi's views on borders. Students expressed relief that the topics were classical and manageable, despite initial political controversy over whether they reflected partisan agendas. The article highlights student reactions and contrasts them with political criticism.
Bias read (Center): The article presents student perspectives and quotes without overtly favoring any political side. It mentions political criticisms but does not endorse them, maintaining a balanced tone.
Why these scores (Factual 75 · Objective 65): The article mentions the themes and some statistics but focuses more on political reactions and opinions rather than factual reporting. It includes quotes from students and critics, but the tone leans toward commentary rather than balanced reporting.
Il Fatto QuotidianoIndependentCenterFactual 70Objective 6020 days agoThe article discusses the choices made by Italian high school students during the 2026 Maturità exam, focusing on the first written test. The most selected topics were excerpts from Mario Calabresi's book 'Alzarsi all'alba' and an article by Wenke Husmann published in Internazionale. These two options together accounted for 42% of student selections. In contrast, Cesare Pavese's poetry 'Passerò per Piazza di Spagna' was chosen by only 5.3% of students. Other notable selections included a passage from Frank Furedi's essay and works by Vitaliano Brancati and Giuseppe Saragat.
Bias read (Center): The article provides factual data on student preferences for different literary texts in the Maturità exam without showing any ideological bias. It reports statistics and does not present opinions or frame the content in a particular political direction.
Why these scores (Factual 70 · Objective 60): This article presents similar data but includes some exaggerated claims, such as 'monopolized by Calabresi and Husmann,' and makes political judgments about Pavese being 'bocciato.' It also introduces biased language suggesting ideological leanings, reducing objectivity.
OpenIndependentCenterFactual 50Objective 5021 days ago Maturity, Mario Calabresi surprised by the trace of Italian.Mario Calabresi, an Italian journalist and author, expressed surprise at his book being included in the first Italian exam track for high school students. The passage from his book 'Svegliarsi all'alba' was used in the exam to reflect on the value of effort, sacrifice, and daily work. Calabresi noted that the inclusion was unexpected but indicated growing interest among students, who have chosen his book as a basis for their oral exams.
Bias read (Center): The article discusses the inclusion of a literary text in an academic exam without taking a stance on political issues. It focuses on educational content and does not present any biased framing or ideological slant.
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