Abstract
Firmly situated in wider sociological studies of social exclusion, this book by David Smith and Margaret Greenfields provides an authoritative and engaging account of a largely unexplored aspect of Traveller and Gypsy experience – that of life in ‘bricks and mortar’ housing. This important contribution to scholarship provides readers with a comprehensive review of existing studies of Gypsies and Travellers and a detailed historical account of UK policy towards Gypsies and Travellers and the often forgotten place that these communities have in the fabric of British society. Both authors have extensive experience in researching Gypsies and Travellers and this study is based on a large number of interviews and focus groups, which in addition to a range of other studies, allow them to make confident claims based on reliable data.
Although the book deals with themes in discrete chapters, there is considerable overlap, particularly in terms of reflections on gendered and generational experiences, and really this book should be read as a whole. Happily the engaging writing styles of both authors mean that this is no hardship. It is a compelling read.
The first part of the book (chapters two and three) grounds the research in the existing literature, while making a clear case for the originality of this study. Studies of Gypsies and Travellers in the UK largely focus on those who continue to pursue their traditional nomadic lifestyle in the face of increasing adversity. However, surprisingly little attention has been paid to what happens to those who abandon this way of life. These chapters provide a detailed account of the policy and other historical developments which have pushed many Gypsies and Travellers off the roads and into ‘bricks and mortar’ housing.
Chapters five and six examine how respondents to the study moved into housing and the impact this has had on their lives. This section of the book provides a shocking account of the mental health problems faced by individuals for whom the move was forced rather than an active choice. Faced with increasing hostility and a lack of suitable, legal halting sites, many had no option but to move into a house and the authors clearly demonstrate how this lack of agency has compounded the misery of many individuals.
Chapters seven and eight focus on how housed Gypsies and Travellers interact with their Gorger (non-Traveller) neighbours. The authors explore the positive and negative aspects of these relationships and how their respondents maintain their identity as Travellers while living settled lives. Finally, chapter ten looks at the specific experiences of young Gypsies and Travellers, many of whom have lived their whole lives in settled housing, yet firmly identify as Travellers and aspire to join relatives on the road as soon as an opportunity arises.
While this book will certainly be of interest to scholars of minority rights and social policy, it should also be read by all practitioners who engage with Gypsies and Travellers. Indeed, the authors conclude with a list of policy recommendations which demand action and leadership by local authorities and policy makers. The research published here challenges widely held assumptions about the movement of Travellers into housing as a sign of social progress, making a convincing case that in fact the reverse is true. The authors provide compelling evidence that forcing Travellers off the roads can create and exacerbate a range of social problems. At a time when there is huge pressure on social housing it really makes little sense to force people into a situation that causes more problems than it solves and ultimately puts increased pressure on social services. Based on the first-hand accounts of respondents, the authors demonstrate how an enforced move into housing can be harmful to general mental well-being, make maintaining contact with family networks very difficult and increase tensions with neighbours. Nevertheless, Smith and Greenfields retain a sense of optimism that the resilience of one of Britain’s oldest ethnic minority communities will help them to survive this latest assault on their culture and identity. This reviewer certainly hopes that they will be proved correct.