Attitudes to Roma improve with contact, researchers find

Attitudes held by the public about the Roma community are likely to improve if communities have more contact with one other, according to new research at The University of Manchester.

The findings of the survey in East Manchester also found that suspicion toward the Roma is based on pre-conceptions and second-hand reports rather than on direct encounters with the Romani community.

The results will be presented at a special event at the University on June 10.

Students carried out the fieldwork for Professor Yaron Matras, an expert on Romani language and culture and Director of the Romani Project at The University of Manchester.

Around 100 people, including professionals working in local services and members of the public, were surveyed.

Professor Matras said: “These results add to the body of evidence that communication barriers are the root of many problems between the Roma and non Roma communities.

“Though the overwhelming majority of local respondents were found to hold negative attitudes, they admitted that those attitudes were formed mainly on the basis of media reports and hearsay rather than personal encounters.”

Professor Matras and his team of researchers have also conducted earlier research to look at the Romani community in the same area of South Gorton.

They concluded many Romani left their home town in South Eastern Romania to escape poverty, social exclusion and discrimination as ‘Gypsies’. However, many found it hard to make a living in the UK.

The team recommended that outreach workers of Romani background be recruited to serve as ‘role models’ for the younger generation.

The latest research investigated Romani families who have emigrated to Manchester in recent years, and attitudes among local residents of non-Romani origin and public service employees.

Professor Matras is based at The University’s school of Languages, Linguistics and Cultures.

He added: "What many people don’t realise is that the Romani people of Gorton belong to an Evangelical Church and adhere to a strict ban on smoking, alcohol consumption, and any form of violence.

"Their children attend local primary schools and continue on to secondary school."

The event will take place on Thursday, 10 June, at 5pm in the main Lecture Theatre, Samuel Alexander Building (Humanities), on the University’s Oxford Road campus.

Professor Matras is available for comment.

Visit http://romani.humanities.manchester.ac.uk

For general enquiries contact Professor Matras on yaron.matras [a] manchester.ac (p) uk

For media enquires contact:
Jon Keighren
Media Relations
University of Manchester
0161 275 8384
07917 211537
Jon.keighren [a] manchester.ac (p) uk