Changes in the living conditions of the Cracovian Roma after Polish accession to the EU
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Keywords

Roma
ethic minority
social position
discrimination

Abstract

The core of analysis in this article is the situation of the Cracovian Roma community after
Polish accession to the European Union. The analysis considers two levels − institutional
(activity of Roma associations) and private (the situation of families and individuals). The
base material in the case of institutions are interviews with their representatives and, in
the case of individuals, interviews by questionnaires. The analysis proceeded multidirectional,
proposals for different areas are: the housing situation of the Cracovian Roma
community is not bad, but the vast majority of non-proprietary occupants live on the
premises without the possibility of purchasing the property for financial reasons; most
of them have employment, it increased in recent years, despite rising unemployment in
the country; significantly increases the level of education of the Roma and aware of the
limitations associated with its lack; majority of the Roma is satisfied with the activities
of their nassociations, on the other hand, the associations perceive greater opportunities
and resources to help than before 2004; the Cracovian Roma feel strong deterioration in
the standard of living due to the decline in revenues and an increase in prices, as well as
a clear increase in the discrimination in the last decade. The analysis can help to verify the
situation of this minority and to break some stereotypes, but this is necessary to conduct
research in other Polish regions.

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