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Romania suffered under a repressive communist government under Ceausescu up to 1989 and it has been struggling since then to establish a democratic system of government and recover from a sharp economic decline. Many human rights abuses have been reported during this process. Recent improvements and political stability under a multiparty democracy have allowed Romania to anticipate joining the EU in 2007.
Romania suffered from economic hardship since the 1980s despite being rich in agricultural resources, metal ore and oil. It became unnaturally urbanised with the deliberate destroying and collectivisation of farms during the Ceausescu regime. Rural communities were relocated and employed in Ceausescu's many industrialisation schemes. Since returning to political stability agriculture has become an important part of the economy again. However, unemployment is high.
Most Romanians are Christian with 70% belonging to the Romanian Orthodox church. Many Romanians belong to other Christian denominations while a significant number of Romanians adhere to the Jewish and Muslim faiths. Major religious festivals, such as Easter and Christmas do not fall on the same days as the Western calendar.
Romanian emigration to Ireland peaked in 1999 when a total of 2,226 applied for asylum, (28.8%of the total applications), with a gradual but consistent decline since then (Begley). One of the barriers facing Romanians who have settled in Ireland has been ethnic discrimination. Many Irish treat Romanians unfavourably, sometimes assuming erroneously that all Romanians in Ireland are from the Roma culture, a culture that suffers from similar prejudices as Irish travellers (Fanning at al). This has led to many Romanians being falsely associated with cultural practices that are, in fact, alien to them. Another barrier for Romanians has been a language barrier as few Romanians spoke English prior to arrival (Fanning et al).
Contraception was illegal up to 1989 in Romania, as was the encouragement to have large families. Economic hardship compelled many families to place their children in orphanages. Contraception is now legal in Romania and is commonly availed of. Abortion is also legal. It is usual now for Romanians to have 1-2 children.
The family becomes very involved in the birth of a baby, both before and after birth. Baptism occurs at six weeks of age.
Names in Romania begin with the surname/family name, followed by the first name and finally the second/middle name.
Breastfeeding is the norm in Romania. Romanians have a rich culinary tradition very much influenced by Mediterranean and Russian cuisines.
Family is important to Romanians, as is education and adopting a moral code of behaviour. The quality of education in Romania is very high. Sports and athleticism is also highly prized in Romania.
The elderly are traditionally cared for by the children. Where children are absent the elderly will go into a nursing home.
Burial takes place after three days. The body of the deceased is usually kept in the home for those three days while the friends and family grieves. Families will continue to mourn for 40 days after the burial. Many rituals will take place during the first year after death.
Marriage usually occurs for men after the age of 21 when they have completed two years of military service. Many wait until later to get married especially those from urban areas.
Men and women usually share decision making both in family and public life. In urban areas women typically work outside the home and continue to do so after marriage.
Romanians readily avail of public health systems. However, herbal and popular folk remedies will often be used when conventional medicine is seen to have failed. This is particularly the case for people who come from a rural background. Appointments are not necessary in Romania so the practice in Ireland of making appointments may take some getting used to. The public health system in Romania is under-resourced and many will have opted to use their private health system instead. Initial distrust of the public health system here may exist. Home visits from Public Health Nurses and Community nurses will be very familiar to Romanians.
Roma are the largest ethnic group in Romania. An estimated 1.5 - 2 million belong to various Roma communities out of an overall population of 20 million. This is the largest community of Roma in Eastern Europe. Other ethnicities resident in Romania include Hungarians, Serbs, Germans, Turkish, Greeks and Russians, Ukrainians and Croatians.
This very readable Canadian site gives a short account of the county's geography, history, sports, arts, work, family and health. It is socially orientated rather than health focussed, as it is designed to initiate communication and integration between habitual Canadian residents and newly arrived immigrants. It will therefore not explain aspects of culture to a depth that some health care providers would need. However, it does offer avenues and ideas that could be used to open up a productive communication process between health care providers and clients that would lead to relevant information being exchanged. ۞ ۞ ۞
This reliable UNICEF site gives background information and health related statistics that could prove especially useful for health care providers who need to determine the health and social history of their clients. Some cultural information can also be deduced relatively easily from the statistical detail. There is an emphasis on children's and women's health due to UNICEF's focus on children. ۞ ۞
This 2005 cultural profile is an American `library of congress' government file. As such it is concise and factual and it offers sections on health, education, and human rights. However, it is lacking in any data on traditional health seeking practices and cultural beliefs that would increase opportunities to develop cross cultural understanding. ۞ ۞
This BBC site will give you a brief overview of the current political situation in each country. This may help you to know what political situation your client may have left behind and what their relations are currently living with. It also gives a brief overview of statistics - population, religions, languages, life expectancy and exports. ۞
This site gives you basic facts and a map of each country. It gives basic demographic details that include religion, ethnicities, health risks, mortality rates etc. which may be useful, especially if comparative material is required. A short synopsis of the political situation in the country is included. ۞
In 2002 Access Ireland produced a directory aimed at assisting those who are working with refugees and asylum seekers. The directory opens with a comprehensive and valuable account aimed at improving cultural competency, especially in relation to health. Topics include: Intercultural communication; Developing inclusive, intercultural policies and service provision: Refugees health and well being. Also included are 5 cultural profiles relating to refugee communities in Ireland (Angola, DRC, Nigeria, Roma, and Romania). Unfortunately they are not available on their website but the directory can be obtained from the above address. ۞ ۞ ۞ ۞
Begley M. Overview: Asylum in Ireland. In The Stranger in our Midst: Refugees in Ireland: Causes, Experiences, Responses. Ed Whelan T. Kimmage Explorations in Faith and Culture, 2001.
Fanning, Loyal, Staunton - Asylum Seekers and the Right to Work in Ireland 2000
SPIRASI does not necessarily agree with the facts and opinions presented in this guide or any linked websites.
This Cultural Profiles web-site was designed to be fully compliant with modern standards for web publication (as specified by the W3C). The pages will be accessible and readable on any display using any web browser, old or new.