Olga Magano

School pathways and economic practices of Portuguese Ciganos: some continuities and changes

ABSTRACT The main aim of this article is to offer a comprehensive perspective to a better understanding of the actual situation of Portuguese Ciganos.1 In Portugal, the lack of recognition of Ciganos (Roma) and the sometimes incorrect ‘knowledge’ about them which are reflected in images that are limitative and distorted, suggest inferiority and are full of disdain, all of which negatively affects and restricts the life of Ciganos persons. This article intends to presents some of the main results of two qualitative studies conducted between 2004–2010, one of which sought to get to know Ciganos’ representations of domains, practices and situations perceived as discriminatory, while the other looked at the social integration paths of these persons. These studies produce new knowledge about both individual academic and occupational trajectories, and some of the main intergenerational changes that have occurred among Portuguese Ciganos. In addition, the article offers a new view about some social policies in Portugal and its impacts on Ciganos singularities. In fact, it’s possible to conclude that the universalism of the national social policies has not produced the desired effects in terms of a reduction in levels of poverty, exclusion, discrimination among Portuguese Ciganos.

Cities in citizens’ hands

We propose a new paradigm for public participation in urban planning, a field which presents significant challenges for public understanding and participation. Our approach is based on leveraging t ...

Tracing normal lives: between stigma and the will to be Cigano

ABSTRACT Despite the stereotyped homogenisation of the Ciganos (or Gypsies/Roma) – often perceived as poor and marginalised – many have in fact taken different personal and family life paths. Taking into account a perspective of differentiated socialisation processes, social and family contexts and frames of life experiences, the aim of this paper is to present the main results obtained from a qualitative study where in-depth interviews were conducted with Ciganos integrated in the Portuguese labour market (as employees). Our focus is on the processes of social integration, on the many revelations of social and cultural pluralism, and on Gypsy identity, centring attentions and how such identification often serves to challenge the static and hegemonic conceptions about the cultural traits and representations of this population.

Social and Spatial Continuities and Differentiations among Portuguese Ciganos: Regional Profiles

Abstract The coexistence of people and societies marked by ethnic, social, cultural, religious and linguistic diversity is a subject that still generates controversies in contemporary societies. The “Ciganos’ situation” is an unavoidable issue that crosses the boundaries of different European countries, which leads to controversy and ambivalence in the so-called multicultural and/or intercultural societies characterised by the principle of universalism. In Portugal, despite the social and economic transformations that have occurred, the problems of exclusion and poverty among Ciganos persist. They are still considered the poorest ethnic group, with the worst housing conditions, lest schooling and the main target of racism and discrimination. The Portuguese Ciganos are not a homogeneous community. The diversity and plurality are not always easy to grasp by the glare generated by the adoption of interpretive perspectives that are reductively linear and deterministic of the Portuguese Ciganos. For the purpose of outlining a national picture of Portuguese Ciganos, a national study was developed that combines both qualitative and quantitative methodological approaches. The central goal of this article is to present the main results obtained through a questionnaire survey carried out to Ciganos persons and to discuss the social and spatial continuities and differentiations among Ciganos in Portugal.

Constrangimentos e oportunidades para a continuidade e sucesso das pessoas Ciganas

Neste artigo analisa-se o impacto de algumas politicas publicas sobre as trajetorias escolares das pessoas ciganas, em situacao de vulnerabilidade social e residentes nas areas metropolitanas de Lisboa e Porto. Atraves de uma pesquisa qualitativa fora evidenciados alguns dos fatores chave que permitem compreender a continuidade escolar e sucesso educativo de pessoas ciganas, bem como alguns processos de (re)configuracao identitaria associados a estes percursos. A continuidade das trajetorias interliga-se com as politicas e programas publicos, mas tambem com outros fatores explicativos inerentes ao individuo ao tipo de apoio do seu grupo familiar, a presenca de figuras de referencia, a importância dos pares e fatores institucionais insitos ao funcionamento da escola publica.