95 research outputs found
The Construction of Socio-Political and Symbolical Marginalization in Brazil:Reflecting the Relation between Socio-Spatial Stigma and Responses to Violence in Rio de Janeiro
Full text linkIn this article I reflect upon the construction of socio-political and symbolical marginalization of the dwellers of the favelas in Rio de Janeiro. I explore the demonization of favelas and the particular labelling of favelas’ youngsters as the usual suspects and the face of fear in the city. I argue that addressing youngsters generically as ‘drug dealers’ follows the systematic historical devaluation and humiliation of the dwellers of the favelas in the public arena. Thereby I want to show the nature of criminalization of poverty in Rio, and its consequences on youngsters’ life experiences in the city. Youngsters from favelas have been transformed into the main target of strategies of social control and spatial enclosure. Such processes unfold in a core period for Brazilian society and involve transformations in Brazilian socio-political and spatial context, where the negative effects of neoliberal agenda challenge the consolidation of democracy and social justice. This article is based on empirical research in Brazilian favelas with youngsters living under a socio-symbolical shadow (Fernandes, 2009, 2013a/b) and involved in drug trafficking (Fernandes and Rodriguez, 2009; Silva et al, 2009). It is also based on extensive reflection on concepts and theories that enable new representations on favelas and by extension, new routes for public policies addressed for marginalised groups
Youth Gang Members in Rio de Janeiro:The Face of a ‘Lost Generation’ in an Age of Fear and Mistrust
No full textThis article analyses the relationship between stigmatization, violence and marginality and its limits to social justice and citizenship. It involves a critical reflection on the way groups living in a social and symbolical shade are represented and treated by governments and their institutions, and the way such practices reinforce a cycle of socio-symbolical marginality and the limits to life in the city. For that the article will explore the findings of a research within drug gangs in which I have been involved (Silva and Urani, 2002, Observatório de Favelas, 2006; Silva et al, 2009), and my own research on violence, urban marginality and stigmatization (Fernandes, 2009; Fernandes, 2012)
FISCAL IMPACTS OF SOCIAL SECURITY REFORM IN BRAZIL
Full text linkThis article focuses on the reform of Social Security in Brazil, initiated in 2003. We estimate the fiscal impact of the original government proposal, as well as of the proposal approved at the House of Representatives, and the final format approved at the Senate. We also estimated both, the balancing contribution rate and the effective contribution rate, in the three phases of the reforming process. Results indicate that although the final impact was considerably reduced from the initial project, a great deal of progress has been made towards both, the reduction of annual Social Security deficit and its transformation into a more equitable system.
The Construction of Socio-Political and Symbolical Marginalization in Brazil:Reflecting the Relation between Socio-Spatial Stigma and Responses to Violence in Rio de Janeiro
Full text linkIn this article I reflect upon the construction of socio-political and symbolical marginalization of the dwellers of the favelas in Rio de Janeiro. I explore the demonization of favelas and the particular labelling of favelas’ youngsters as the usual suspects and the face of fear in the city. I argue that addressing youngsters generically as ‘drug dealers’ follows the systematic historical devaluation and humiliation of the dwellers of the favelas in the public arena. Thereby I want to show the nature of criminalization of poverty in Rio, and its consequences on youngsters’ life experiences in the city. Youngsters from favelas have been transformed into the main target of strategies of social control and spatial enclosure. Such processes unfold in a core period for Brazilian society and involve transformations in Brazilian socio-political and spatial context, where the negative effects of neoliberal agenda challenge the consolidation of democracy and social justice. This article is based on empirical research in Brazilian favelas with youngsters living under a socio-symbolical shadow (Fernandes, 2009, 2013a/b) and involved in drug trafficking (Fernandes and Rodriguez, 2009; Silva et al, 2009). It is also based on extensive reflection on concepts and theories that enable new representations on favelas and by extension, new routes for public policies addressed for marginalised groups
The situation of people who are at risk of homelessness in the city of Dundee:Dundee Drop In Survey
Full text linkThis report brings to life the findings from the Dundee Drop In Survey. The survey is a result of collaboration between the Dr Fernando Fernandes (Social Dimensions of Health Institute, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Dundee) and Dundee Drop In Network (DDI).This report is part of a participatory process that involves several discussions with DDI group members and some service users. The collective process takes more time than most traditional ways to do research. In fact, the process of engagement with the research is as relevant as the research findings. It involves a complex coordination and facilitation that has been possible only because of the passionate commitment of all the people involved.This report has been produced to be a resource for practitioners, policy makers, students and researchers interested in understanding the issues faced by people living with or at risk of homelessness. As such, we expect the report to inform the development of further research, action, policy and practice to address this critical matter in the city of Dundee and beyond
The situation of people who are at risk of homelessness in the city of Dundee:Dundee Drop In Survey
Full text linkThis report brings to life the findings from the Dundee Drop In Survey. The survey is a result of collaboration between the Dr Fernando Fernandes (Social Dimensions of Health Institute, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Dundee) and Dundee Drop In Network (DDI).This report is part of a participatory process that involves several discussions with DDI group members and some service users. The collective process takes more time than most traditional ways to do research. In fact, the process of engagement with the research is as relevant as the research findings. It involves a complex coordination and facilitation that has been possible only because of the passionate commitment of all the people involved.This report has been produced to be a resource for practitioners, policy makers, students and researchers interested in understanding the issues faced by people living with or at risk of homelessness. As such, we expect the report to inform the development of further research, action, policy and practice to address this critical matter in the city of Dundee and beyond
Os jovens da favela. Reflexões sobre controle e contenção sócio-espacial dos párias urbanos no Rio de Janeiro
No full textThis article outlines a reflection on analytic tools which can contribute in studies about urban segregation and socio-spatial stigmatisation. The urban space production in Rio de Janeiro and the social representation of Favelas is utilized as an empiric reference for a theoretical discussion, in which two analytical notions are introduced: the ¿socio-spatial control and enclosure¿ and the ¿space of embarrassment¿
The repellent role of institutions
Full text linkThe quality of care needs to provide greater attention and humanization to users, not only with regard tobuilding empathy, but also with regard to overcoming institutional barriers that can operate as decisive factorsfor adherence and full access to services. These barriers are not only the result of institutional or socio-legalmechanisms that regulate the functioning of institutions; they also place themselves, above all, at the core of therelationships and interactions between professionals and users of the system
What Should the Public Role of Universities in an Unequal Society Be?
No full textScottish universities do not have systematic and articulated programmes for community engagement. In spite of some valuable experiences, Scotland still faces the challenge to mobilise their universities to do more in relation to inequalities and social justice. These challenges inevitably involve a reflection upon the way institutions engage with the social justice agenda. This is particularly relevant for the universities as they are institutions addressing research and teaching and, ultimately, the formation of professionals. In times of instrumentalisation of learning, universities’ agendas for social justice should involve the responsibility of educating students to perform a morally responsible political authority (Giroux, Educar Curitiba 37:25–38, 2010)
Conceptualising community development through a pedagogy of <i>convivência</i>:youth, race and territory in Brazil
Full text linkThis chapter reflects upon the territorialised and racialised distinctions of rights experienced by young people living in Brazilian urban peripheries whose lives are crossed by the overlaps between territorial stigma, racism, poverty, social insecurity, involvement in illicit activities, contact with criminal justice and diverse experiences of violence and violation of human rights. The monsterisation and disposability of young people are explored to analyse how structural racism is reproduced by both institutional practices and practitioner attitudes towards. The chapter explores possibilities and limits of cultural translations, diverse socio-historical realities and contrasting policy-practice environments between Brazil and UK. Therefore, it explores potential lines of dialogue with academics and practitioners by introducing some critical concepts and approaches for community development through the lenses of a pedagogy of convivência/coexistence (Fernandes, Silva, Barbosa, 2018). The chapter highlights relevant principles as reminders for practice, advocacy, policy impact and, more widely, political incidence (incidência política), i.e., the ability of social agents to influence on the political processes and policy agendas.<br/
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