GYPSIES AND TRAVELLERS

Gypsies and Travellers (Inequality and Social Difference)

Gypsies and Travellers

Introduction

“Gypsies and Travellers” is a term that includes different groups, who have been residing in Bristol and Britain for centuries (Bhopal, 2004, p.19). Gypsies and Travellers posses their own powerful customs and traditions however these are widely misinterpreted. Gypsies and Travellers are ethnic minority groups and lawfully protected under the act of Race Relations Act (Bhopal, 2004, p.19), therefore any sort of unfairness or inequity against them is illegal. Public bodies hold an obligation to support their racial parity; however a number of inequalities still subsist. They witness high levels of prejudice and discrimination. For instance twenty five percent of those residing in caravans are without a roof over their head since they have nowhere officially permitted to park and come across frequent expulsions. Gypsies and Travellers have been supported to build up their own locations (Morris, 1999, p.04) however only ten percent have their initial setting up applications acknowledged. They also face rigorous inequalities in health, education and various other services.

Discussion

The United Kingdom's three hundred thousand Gypsies and Travellers have resided, travelled and worked all through the country for hundreds of years (Cemlyn, Greenfields, Burnett, Matthews & Whitwell, 2009, p. 268). Gypsies and Travellers make diverse, varied and rich communities and comprise of:

Irish Travellers

Romany Gypsies

Scottish Travellers

Circus People

Roma

Welsh Travellers (Kale)

New Travellers

Show people

Boat or Bargees Dwellers (Bhopal, 2004, p.21)

Discrimination in the Field of Education

'Traditional Travellers are being set aside from education from the time when school had been viewed as a way to incorporate Gypsy Travellers into the mainstream (Morris, 1999, p.04). The approach toward education has transformed during the preceding few years to an optimistic direction concerning the truth that the majority would wish to see the kids get through the primary school. Consequently due to the reservations on the subject of education, a number of older Gypsies and Travellers may own very less if any, proper education, thus the levels of literacy are comparatively low (Morris, 1999, p.05). This can have an immense harmful impact on the easiness with which they are capable to recognize and access the benefits and services which would be suitable for them and which they are permitted to.

In the field of education Travellers and Gypsies children experience a number of inconveniences. These children face lots of complexities when they move forward to look for a stable and even education. Travellers and Gypsies are viewed as a group which is at high risk in the field of education (Morris, 1999, p.05). Efforts have been made by some education services and few schools for providing an inclusive and equal education. Though such children could observe that their culture is highly ignored, their wants do not meet their harassment from fellow students, and an antagonistic reception in the locality. In Essex, a school was lately stopped up when Travellers were given admission since the local parents raised a movement opposing them and removed their children from that school.

Health Problems Faced by Gypsies and Traveller Communities

An extensive ...