STRENGTHS AND COPING OF IRAQI KURDISH WOMEN IN PIRKANMAA, FINLAND
Kuitunen, Heini Amiina (2013)
Diakonia-ammattikorkeakoulu
2013
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201305056378
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201305056378
Tiivistelmä
Heini Amiina Kuitunen. Strengths and Coping of Iraqi Kurdish Women in Pirkanmaa, Finland. Diak South, Järvenpää, Spring 2013, 80 p, 3 appendices.
Diaconia University of Applied Sciences, Degree Programme in Social Services, Community Development, Bachelor of Social Services (UAS).
The aim of the research was to gain knowledge about the Iraqi Kurdish women, their coping methods and significant strength giving factors in their life. The research question was set as: what is a source of strength of the Iraqi Kurdish woman, and what are the supportive matters in coping?
The methodology of the research is qualitative and ethnographical. The material of the research was previous researches and literature. Data is collected by carrying out semi-structured and thematic interviews regarding topics presented in the picture of Conceptual Frame of the Study. Five middle-aged Iraqi Kurdish women, who have lived from 16 to 23 years in Finland, were interviewed. Due to small amount of the interviewees the study is not generalizing that all Kurdish women view the themes and the life similarly. The interviews are analysed by the etnographical content analysis. The qantitative data is used as a basic information in order to find out the number of the Kurds living in Finland, and especially the number of the Kurdish women living in Pirkanmaa.
According to the research findings the Iraqi Kurdish women are great survivors whose strengths are built in their background, in their identity starting from the childhood and by father´s encouraging influence. The family structure is strong and especially the children are the main strength giving factor for mothers. In order to cope and survive in the new culture the most significant point was to learn the language. Language is the key for learning the new culture, to have more skills and education in the new country and finally to have a job. Also, the Kurdish community and friends have their supportive roles in coping.
It can be seen in Finland that the focus is mainly in weaknesses and challenges while the discussion is about immigrant issues, especially about the refugees and asylum seekers. In the future practices the focus should be more on discovering and supporting the strengths of a person. All starts from the attitudes. In practice this means openness, sensitiveness and trust on people and their capacities. The social work practices should support individual´s self-esteem, find ways to guide a person to be and to exist as an equal participant and influential person and to have control of his/her own life.
The information of the research is beneficial for social workers, other service providers and for public correspondingly while meeting with the Kurdish women and the Kurdish community in Finland. The knowledge always reduces tensions between the actors.
Diaconia University of Applied Sciences, Degree Programme in Social Services, Community Development, Bachelor of Social Services (UAS).
The aim of the research was to gain knowledge about the Iraqi Kurdish women, their coping methods and significant strength giving factors in their life. The research question was set as: what is a source of strength of the Iraqi Kurdish woman, and what are the supportive matters in coping?
The methodology of the research is qualitative and ethnographical. The material of the research was previous researches and literature. Data is collected by carrying out semi-structured and thematic interviews regarding topics presented in the picture of Conceptual Frame of the Study. Five middle-aged Iraqi Kurdish women, who have lived from 16 to 23 years in Finland, were interviewed. Due to small amount of the interviewees the study is not generalizing that all Kurdish women view the themes and the life similarly. The interviews are analysed by the etnographical content analysis. The qantitative data is used as a basic information in order to find out the number of the Kurds living in Finland, and especially the number of the Kurdish women living in Pirkanmaa.
According to the research findings the Iraqi Kurdish women are great survivors whose strengths are built in their background, in their identity starting from the childhood and by father´s encouraging influence. The family structure is strong and especially the children are the main strength giving factor for mothers. In order to cope and survive in the new culture the most significant point was to learn the language. Language is the key for learning the new culture, to have more skills and education in the new country and finally to have a job. Also, the Kurdish community and friends have their supportive roles in coping.
It can be seen in Finland that the focus is mainly in weaknesses and challenges while the discussion is about immigrant issues, especially about the refugees and asylum seekers. In the future practices the focus should be more on discovering and supporting the strengths of a person. All starts from the attitudes. In practice this means openness, sensitiveness and trust on people and their capacities. The social work practices should support individual´s self-esteem, find ways to guide a person to be and to exist as an equal participant and influential person and to have control of his/her own life.
The information of the research is beneficial for social workers, other service providers and for public correspondingly while meeting with the Kurdish women and the Kurdish community in Finland. The knowledge always reduces tensions between the actors.