Social exclusion in Rio de Janeiro (2014)

The research question of this thesis is the following: How do the favela residents of Parada de Lucas, Rio de Janeiro, experience and cope with social exclusion, and, in particular, the exclusion effects of mega sporting events? Within this definition, the researchers set out four prime dimensions, which they believed to be crucial, namely, livelihood, community and social capital, citizenship, and identity construction. They concluded that the lack of healthcare and education were the main problems within the community. These seem to have a correlation with identity, since many stigmas are placed on favela residents, typifying them as ‘others’. The fact that they come from a favela is enough to socially exclude them and stigmatize them as unworthy or incapable. Yet, although the residents constantly vent their emotions in a negative manner, hardly any active coping strategies are undertaken to change their situation. When it comes to the sporting mega events, the residents aren’t interested enough because it doesn’t affect them directly, nonetheless they feel saddened for those who are affected because they believe that the government is more concerned with the country’s image than with the welfare if its citizens. The only sort of active coping strategies which are undertaken is use of far extending networks to borrow or lend, exchange items, money or advice, or help with problems, in order to ‘get by’.