Abstract

MAGANO, Olga. Portuguese Ciganos/Roma, life pathways and identity affirmation. Forum Sociológico [online]. 2023, n.42, pp.49-58.  Epub July 31, 2023. ISSN 0872-8380.  https://doi.org/10.4000/sociologico.11313.

Images and representations about Ciganos in Portugal are stereotyped and homogenizing. However, there are cases of different life paths, several types of families (endogamous and mixed marriages), groups of origin, regional cultures, ways of life and social integration. Starting from the diversity of socialization processes, according to social and family contexts of Cigano/Roma people, expressed in singular life experience frameworks, that distinguish themselves from other Cigano/Roma people, this presents life projects distanced from stereotyped images using as a support the results of a qualitative investigation, in which in-depth interviews were carried out, to know ways of life of Cigano/Roma people, integrated in the labor market, questioning the preconceived idea that Ciganos “do not work”, “live on subsidies” or that “They are all equal”. The results reveal several ways of life and dynamic social and plural integration processes, expressed through feelings of identification and social, cultural and identity pluralities that challenge static conceptions about Cigano cultural traits and identities.

Keywords : Ciganos/Roma people; social integration; life paths; identities.

        · abstract in Portuguese     · text in Portuguese     · Portuguese ( pdf )