Roma In HungaryRoma In Hungary

Presentation By Shayla DodgePresentation By Shayla Dodge

PopulationPopulation

Hungarian population: Hungarian population: 10,374,82310,374,823 Roma population between: Roma population between: 450,000 and 450,000 and

500,000 500,000 4 or 5% of population Roma4 or 5% of population Roma Birth rate higher then norm: 3 childrenBirth rate higher then norm: 3 children

Language and CultureLanguage and Culture

Romungro: Romungro: 66-7566-75%% First group, linguistically assimilated,First group, linguistically assimilated, strong strong musical musical

abilityability: violin, cello, and bass: violin, cello, and bass Vlach: Vlach: 20-3020-30% %

Traditional and still speak Romany (but 5 dialects)Traditional and still speak Romany (but 5 dialects) Believe in: Virgin Brides, women ware long skirts, men Believe in: Virgin Brides, women ware long skirts, men

have moustaches and black hatshave moustaches and black hats Tradition vs. society: Watching the dead, marriage at 13 or Tradition vs. society: Watching the dead, marriage at 13 or

1414 BeashBeash: : 5-105-10%% Sinti (small)Sinti (small)

Romani Romani CCourt ourt SSystémystém: : kris or svato kris or svato

Vlach and composed of older men & family of Vlach and composed of older men & family of perpetratorperpetrator

Biased on fines without appealBiased on fines without appeal Respected or excommunicationRespected or excommunication

Not spoken toNot spoken to Spit onSpit on Left out of group activitiesLeft out of group activities

Discrimination and EducationDiscrimination and Education

Discrimination: Magyar Tudomany (1997)Discrimination: Magyar Tudomany (1997) From 1994-1997 unemployment rose from 40 to From 1994-1997 unemployment rose from 40 to

50%50% People believed: People believed:

Roma live according to lax lawsRoma live according to lax laws ““Gypsy problem” would get better if they worked.Gypsy problem” would get better if they worked. It’s their fault they are poorIt’s their fault they are poor

EducationEducation Education: Education:

80,000 in elementary school80,000 in elementary school 500-600 in secondary schools500-600 in secondary schools 200-300 University200-300 University

But:But:They often don't finish primary school (or 75% but don't go to They often don't finish primary school (or 75% but don't go to secondary school depending on what study)secondary school depending on what study)

Upswing: 50% now finish and are literateUpswing: 50% now finish and are literate Up to 50% in special schools, (but though they get an 8Up to 50% in special schools, (but though they get an 8 thth grade grade

diploma, they hardly ever continue their education)diploma, they hardly ever continue their education) Segregated Roma classes or schools: 132 of 800 primary schools have Segregated Roma classes or schools: 132 of 800 primary schools have

special classesspecial classes

Special ClassesSpecial Classes

Usually more crowedUsually more crowed Poorer conditionsPoorer conditions Excluded from extracurricular classes like:Excluded from extracurricular classes like:

SwimmingSwimming English LanguageEnglish Language

Reasons For DiscriminationReasons For Discriminationin Education.in Education.

Non-Roma parents would rather not have their Non-Roma parents would rather not have their children with Romachildren with Roma Local government could enforce non-segregated Local government could enforce non-segregated

schools but 70% don'tschools but 70% don't According to Peter Rado’s researchAccording to Peter Rado’s research

Teachers are not sensitive to cultural differencesTeachers are not sensitive to cultural differences Not prepared mentally, but also no curriculum Not prepared mentally, but also no curriculum

materials, teaching materials, or trainingmaterials, teaching materials, or training

Culture and EducationCulture and Education

Cultural Practices of Roma influence school Cultural Practices of Roma influence school attendance and taking part in activitiesattendance and taking part in activities GymGym Don’t force children to Study because they think it Don’t force children to Study because they think it

influences their communitarian attitude and influences their communitarian attitude and adherence to culture, andadherence to culture, and

Vlach think children are adults when they are 12-Vlach think children are adults when they are 12-13, so parents think they have no control to force 13, so parents think they have no control to force their children to studytheir children to study

1993 Minority Law1993 Minority Law

All minorities have to have Education in their All minorities have to have Education in their mother languagemother language But, No more then 5 high schoolsBut, No more then 5 high schools No primaryNo primary Gandhi High School was the first designed for Gandhi High School was the first designed for

Roma- Pecs 1994Roma- Pecs 1994 Focus on Roma Culture and LanguageFocus on Roma Culture and Language

EmploymentEmployment Before 1980’s about same as national population but steadily Before 1980’s about same as national population but steadily

declineddeclined 60-85% and in some regions 90-100%60-85% and in some regions 90-100% 4 or 5 times national unemployment rate4 or 5 times national unemployment rate

Studies show its not because they don't want to workStudies show its not because they don't want to work Changes in political environment and economy after 1989 made them Changes in political environment and economy after 1989 made them

the first to be laid offthe first to be laid off Reasons: Lack of Education, professional qualities, but also discriminationReasons: Lack of Education, professional qualities, but also discrimination

Discrimination limits options and “unemployment, Discrimination limits options and “unemployment, impoverishment, disillusionment, 'survival crime,' and impoverishment, disillusionment, 'survival crime,' and delinquency, which reinforces existing prejudices” delinquency, which reinforces existing prejudices” (Human Rights (Human Rights

Watch/Helsinki)Watch/Helsinki)

Modern SituationModern Situation Discrimination in Education, workforce, and they still Discrimination in Education, workforce, and they still

have life expectancy lower then Hungarians in have life expectancy lower then Hungarians in general.general.

Government is doing more, but not enough.Government is doing more, but not enough. An example from health care shows that both Roma An example from health care shows that both Roma

and Gaga are poised to fight.and Gaga are poised to fight. Still often live separately from the majority of the Still often live separately from the majority of the

society in exclusively Roma communitiessociety in exclusively Roma communities Overall the majority of society is not sensitive to the Overall the majority of society is not sensitive to the

cultural differences, and do not distinguish between cultural differences, and do not distinguish between the different Roma.the different Roma.

ConclusionConclusion

Hungary’s situation is unique:Hungary’s situation is unique: Third largest Roma population in EuropeThird largest Roma population in Europe Police, health workers, local and national Police, health workers, local and national

government apathygovernment apathy Continued effortsContinued efforts

Supposed to teach in Minority LanguageSupposed to teach in Minority Language Prior to primary school education.Prior to primary school education. Efforts to assimilateEfforts to assimilate