Roma In Hungary Presentation By Shayla Dodge

Population Hungarian population: 10,374,823 Hungarian population: 10,374,823 Roma population between: 450,000 and 500,000 Roma population between: 450,000 and 500,000 4 or 5% of population Roma 4 or 5% of population Roma Birth rate higher then norm: 3 children Birth rate higher then norm: 3 children

Language and Culture Romungro: 66-75% Romungro: 66-75% First group, linguistically assimilated, strong musical ability: violin, cello, and bass First group, linguistically assimilated, strong musical ability: violin, cello, and bass Vlach: 20-30% Vlach: 20-30% 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 have moustaches and black hats Believe in: Virgin Brides, women ware long skirts, men have moustaches and black hats Tradition vs. society: Watching the dead, marriage at 13 or 14 Tradition vs. society: Watching the dead, marriage at 13 or 14 Beash: 5-10% Beash: 5-10% Sinti (small) Sinti (small)

Romani Court Systém: kris or svato Vlach and composed of older men & family of perpetrator Vlach and composed of older men & family of perpetrator Biased on fines without appeal Biased on fines without appeal Respected or excommunication Respected or excommunication Not spoken to Not spoken to Spit on Spit on Left out of group activities Left out of group activities

Discrimination and Education Discrimination: Magyar Tudomany (1997) Discrimination: Magyar Tudomany (1997) From unemployment rose from 40 to 50% From unemployment rose from 40 to 50% People believed: People believed: Roma live according to lax laws Roma 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 poor It’s their fault they are poor

Education Education: Education: 80,000 in elementary school 80,000 in elementary school in secondary schools in secondary schools University University But: But: They often don't finish primary school (or 75% but don't go to secondary school depending on what study) Upswing: 50% now finish and are literate Upswing: 50% now finish and are literate Up to 50% in special schools, (but though they get an 8 th grade diploma, they hardly ever continue their education) Up to 50% in special schools, (but though they get an 8 th grade diploma, they hardly ever continue their education) Segregated Roma classes or schools: 132 of 800 primary schools have special classes Segregated Roma classes or schools: 132 of 800 primary schools have special classes

Special Classes Usually more crowed Usually more crowed Poorer conditions Poorer conditions Excluded from extracurricular classes like: Excluded from extracurricular classes like: Swimming Swimming English Language English Language

Reasons For Discrimination in Education. Non-Roma parents would rather not have their children with Roma Non-Roma parents would rather not have their children with Roma Local government could enforce non-segregated schools but 70% don't Local government could enforce non-segregated schools but 70% don't According to Peter Rado’s research According to Peter Rado’s research Teachers are not sensitive to cultural differences Teachers are not sensitive to cultural differences Not prepared mentally, but also no curriculum materials, teaching materials, or training Not prepared mentally, but also no curriculum materials, teaching materials, or training

Culture and Education Cultural Practices of Roma influence school attendance and taking part in activities Cultural Practices of Roma influence school attendance and taking part in activities Gym Gym Don’t force children to Study because they think it influences their communitarian attitude and adherence to culture, and Don’t force children to Study because they think it influences their communitarian attitude and adherence to culture, and Vlach think children are adults when they are , so parents think they have no control to force their children to study Vlach think children are adults when they are , so parents think they have no control to force their children to study

1993 Minority Law All minorities have to have Education in their mother language All minorities have to have Education in their mother language But, No more then 5 high schools But, No more then 5 high schools No primary No primary Gandhi High School was the first designed for Roma- Pecs 1994 Gandhi High School was the first designed for Roma- Pecs 1994 Focus on Roma Culture and Language Focus on Roma Culture and Language

Employment Before 1980’s about same as national population but steadily declined Before 1980’s about same as national population but steadily declined 60-85% and in some regions % 60-85% and in some regions % 4 or 5 times national unemployment rate 4 or 5 times national unemployment rate Studies show its not because they don't want to work Studies show its not because they don't want to work Changes in political environment and economy after 1989 made them the first to be laid off Changes in political environment and economy after 1989 made them the first to be laid off Reasons: Lack of Education, professional qualities, but also discrimination Reasons: Lack of Education, professional qualities, but also discrimination Discrimination limits options and “unemployment, impoverishment, disillusionment, 'survival crime,' and delinquency, which reinforces existing prejudices” (Human Rights Watch/Helsinki) Discrimination limits options and “unemployment, impoverishment, disillusionment, 'survival crime,' and delinquency, which reinforces existing prejudices” (Human Rights Watch/Helsinki)

Modern Situation Discrimination in Education, workforce, and they still have life expectancy lower then Hungarians in general. Discrimination in Education, workforce, and they still have life expectancy lower then Hungarians in general. Government is doing more, but not enough. Government is doing more, but not enough. An example from health care shows that both Roma and Gaga are poised to fight. An example from health care shows that both Roma and Gaga are poised to fight. Still often live separately from the majority of the society in exclusively Roma communities Still often live separately from the majority of the society in exclusively Roma communities Overall the majority of society is not sensitive to the cultural differences, and do not distinguish between the different Roma. Overall the majority of society is not sensitive to the cultural differences, and do not distinguish between the different Roma.

Conclusion Hungary’s situation is unique: Hungary’s situation is unique: Third largest Roma population in Europe Third largest Roma population in Europe Police, health workers, local and national government apathy Police, health workers, local and national government apathy Continued efforts Continued efforts Supposed to teach in Minority Language Supposed to teach in Minority Language Prior to primary school education. Prior to primary school education. Efforts to assimilate Efforts to assimilate