A Generational Divide? Coping With Ethnic Prejudice and Inequality Among Romanian Roma Transnational Returnees

Abstract

Roma people are likely Europe’s most discriminated and marginalized minority. In the past years, increasing attention has been paid to their migration to Western Europe and their limited social mobility in their countries of destination. Our article focuses on the “post‐return” experiences of Roma and the changes generated by return migration in their communities of origin, a topic largely neglected so far. We build on recent debates around post‐return positionality, asking how adult and old Roma returnees experience return. We thus contribute to the growing literature on return migration and lifecourse that distinguishes between the return migration of children and youth, that of adults, and that of older migrants. Focusing on Roma returnees, we employ an understanding of migration not just as a means of generating resources, but also as a learning process where the Roma population acquires new ideas and a sense of agency and dignity. Informed by long‐term fieldwork in ethnically mixed localities in Romania (including participant observation and 76 semi‐structured interviews), we inquire into the ethnic relations and negotiations between Roma and non‐Roma populations. Migration results in a weakening of the economic dependency of the Roma on the non‐Roma. In this new context, which is still marred by ethnic prejudice and inequality, we analysed how local interethnic relations were reshaped by the returned Roma’s new consumption practices, new modes of communication, and new claims for equality. While adult Roma tend to demand equality and decent treatment, setting in motion a process of ethnic change, older returned Roma tend to maintain more submissive practices.

Livelihood Strategies during the COVID-19 Epidemic in Materially Disadvantaged Roma Communities from Covasna County, Romania

“…Return migration phenomena, associated with pandemic or health crises, must be supported, and treated with special attention. As shown in studies (Anghel et al 2016;Anghel and Fosztó 2022) among the young generation of returned Roma (and non-Roma) migrants in Romania, the previous patterns of local relations, everyday habits, and communicational styles are on changing process. That is why, in the case of returned migrants in pandemic times, specific reintegration strategies and policies need to be developed, for which local communities are not yet prepared.…”

Change starts from within: Migration and processes of social and cultural change. A Romanian case

“…Paasche (2017) notes that "transformative social change has indeed occurred in Romania, but that nonmigrants are selective in their adoption of ideas, norms and practices'' (138). Anghel's (2019) case study shows that migration has improved Romanians' social status and enriched migrants' households and localities of origin. These Social Change Review ▪ Winter 2022 ▪ Vol.…”

“…20: 127-161 2012). Returnees are expected to play a significant role in the social change of the sending societies, but they encounter difficulties in exercising their innovative potential in their home communities (Anghel 2019). Olivier-Mensah (2019) argues that the societal debate on return migration generalizes return processes and focuses on explicit expert knowledge and its applicability to societal growth, instead of acknowledging that return is a personal experience with different accomplishments and forms of knowledge.…”

Life Course Justice and Learning

“…However, the authors challenge the existing homogenisation of Roma lives in Portugal and show how their linked lives play a significant role in tackling injustices. Anghel and Fosztó (2022) further argue that in the context of return migration to Romania, young Roma increasingly tend to demand equality and decent treatment, initiating a process of ethnic change. Grønning and Kriesi (2022) address inequalities in vocational education and training programmes.…”