The Roma and the position of Roma women from the perspective of social workers

U radu su prikazani rezultati kvalitativnog istraživanja u kojem je sudjelovalo šest socijalnih radnika s dugogodišnjim iskustvom u radu s Romima. Cilj ovog diplomskog rada bio je dobiti uvid u percepciju socijalnih radnika o Romima i položaju žena Romkinja u njihovoj zajednici na osnovu iskustva u radu s njima, te dobiti uvid u njihove prijedloge za poboljšanje položaja Roma u društvu. Istraživanje je provedeno metodom polustrukturiranog intervjua, a u koncipiranju istraživačkih pitanja i analizi podataka koristila se metoda kvalitativne analize sadržaja. Dobiveni nalazi su pokazali, da su iz perspektive socijalnih radnika, Romi „ovisnici“ o sustavu socijalne skrbi te ne prihvaćaju moderan način života. Također, nalazi pokazuju da je to populacija za koju je karakterističan izostanak spoznaja o dobrobiti obrazovanja i dobrobiti rada. Što se tiče položaja žena Romkinja u njihovoj zajednici, iz nalaza je vidljivo da je mišljenje socijalnih radnika da je položaj žena Romkinja težak, te da ih karakterizira tradicionalna uloga žene. Neki od prijedloga za poboljšanje položaja Roma u društvu je da Romi budu aktivni partneri sustava socijalne skrbi, da žive u neromskim naseljima, te uvođenje novčanih kazni za roditelje romske djece u slučaju da djeca ne pohađaju redovnu nastavu.This paper presents the results of a qualitative research which involved six social workers with a vast experience in working with the Roma population. The goal of this paper is to gain an insight into the perception that social workers have about the Roma as well as about the position of the Roma women in their community based on the experience in working with them, and to gain an insight into their suggestions for improvment of their place in society.This research has been conducted using the method of semi-structured interview, while in the conceptualization/construction of research questions, and data analysis the method of qualitative analysis of content was used. The results of the research have shown that, from the perspective of social workers, the Roma are a population dependant on the system of social care and do not accept the modern lifestyle. Furthermore, data show that it is a population characterized by the lack of awarness of the benefits of education as well as work. As far as the position of Roma women is concerned, it is clear from the data that social workers believe that the position of Roma women is difficult and that they are bound to a traditional role. Some of the suggestions for improvment of the position the Roma have in the society are for the Roma to be active partners in the social care system, for them to live outside of the usual Roma communities, as well as a change in law which would include a fine for the parents whose children do not attend classes