Institutional Discrimination in Paediatric Hospitals

• Author: Atudorei, I.A. - Mardache, A.C.
• Position: Department of Sociology and Communication, Transilvania University of Brasov - Department of Sociology and Communication, Transilvania University of Brasov
• Pages: 119-124

Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Braşov

Series VII: Social Sciences • Law • Vol. 5 (54) No. 2 - 2012

INSTITUTIONAL DISCRIMINATION IN

PAEDIATRIC HOSPITALS

I. A. ATUDOREI1 A. C. MARDACHE2

Abstract: Social discrimination stands for one of the phenome na that social

policies attempt to counteract by legislation, with a view to impeding its

effects. Nevertheless, at institutional level, the deci sions perpetuate and

encourage discrimination, being practically a norm in an ab normal situation.

Abnormality is represented by a series of deficiencies falling within the scope

of perverse effects. H aving analyzed institutional policies in the field of child

health, we have identified a series of issue s that fall under social

discrimination. The paper submits the reasons for instituti onal discrimination

in paediatric hospitals. The purpose of the research i s to identify the

discriminated persons and to report the repercussions of institutional

discrimination at social level.

Key words: domestic violence, emotional bl ackmail, physical abuse, sexual

abuse, moral emotions.

1 Department of Sociology and Communication, Transilvania University of Braşov.

2 Department of Sociology and Communication, Transilvania University of Braşov.

1. Introduction

Currently, in Romanian State paediatric

hospitals, the child’s hospitalization is not

allowed together with his/her father. The

female persons’ hospitalization is only

permitted (mother, grandmother, nanny,

aunt), depending on the situation.

Mention: The study herein makes no

reference to the special period when the

infant is breastfed or when the mother is in

parental leave, but to the period when both

parents are in similar situations (for

instance, the child is over 2 years old and

the parents are employed).

The legislation aims at strengthening the

principle of equal opportunities, which

stands for the normality of a society that

claims to be democratic and at offering

equal development opportunities to the

individuals. Institutional discrimination in

paediatric hospitals falls within the scope

of gender discrimination.

Ordinance No. 77/ 2003 amending and

supplementing Government Ordinance No.

137/2000 on preventing and sanctioning all

forms of discrimination (published in the

Official Monitor No. 619 on August 30,

2003), defines in par. (1) the

discrimination as “any distinction,

exclusion, restriction or preference, based

on race, nationality, ethnicity, language,

religion, social status, beliefs, gender,

sexual orientation, age, disability, non-

contagious chronic disease, HIV infection

or affiliation to a disadvantaged category

that has as purpose or effect to restrict or to

remove recognition, use or exercise, on

equal terms, of the human rights and

fundamental freedoms or of the rights