Dimensions of ethnic identity- centered social exclusion: A research on Tekirdağ romanies

The social exclusion problem of the Romanies will be discussed on the basis of ethnic identity in this study and the exclusion of the Romanies in social, economic, educational and spatial areas will be revealed in a multidimensional way. In the research, interviews were conducted with a total of 33 Romanies in Tekirdağ survey, one of the scientific methods and techniques, and observations were used. The perceptions of stigmatization and exclusion of the Romanies in Tekirdağ, Aydoğdu, Zafer and Karadeniz neighborhoods, based on their own narratives and life practices, were tried to be determined with a sincere look. In the stigmatization and marginalization processes of Tekirdağ Romanies, their ethnicity, prejudice and stereotypes were appear to have a strong importance in exclusion. In the study, the data obtained by ethnographic methods were interpreted with this perspective. The findings of the study show that the social exclusion practices of Tekirdağ Romanies are generally exposed to ethnic discrimination in social areas such as housing, education, employment and health, and thus social exclusion feded by discrimination. For this reason, it has been found that the relations with non-Romanies are limited, they work in insecure and non-permanent jobs, their education level is low, getting married at an early age, staying in unhealthy houses and their crime levels are high.