Is Nomadism the ‘Problem? The Social Construction of Gypsies and Travellers as Perpetrators of ‘Anti-social’ Behaviour in Britain

Abstract

When it comes to defining and theorizing ‘anti-social’ behaviour in relation to Gypsies and Travellers in Britain, there is no shortage of historical and contemporary sources.¹ Today, in the Houses of Parliament and on the front pages of tabloid newspapers, in small town council meetings or live talk-show radio programmes, everyone seems to have a view to share on the ‘problems’ caused by Gypsies and Travellers and their ‘anti-social’ behaviours. Wherever and whenever a new Gypsy site is in development or a roadside encampment appears on the outskirts of town, a well-worn accusatory list of ‘anti-social behaviours’ — litter, tax avoidance, noise, crime, welfare fraud, illiteracy and truancy — is circulated and signed (Clark and Cemlyn, 2005; Clark and Greenfields, 2006). It is accurate to state that the vast majority of views are overwhelmingly negative when it comes to public discourses about Gypsies and Travellers (Powell, 2007; Richardson, 2006). Behind statements of their inherent asociality, lies a deep suspicion about their (presumed) mobility, with their marginalization regarded as a ‘natural’ consequence of their nomadism and perceived lack of ‘attachment’ to ‘fixed’ local geographies (Shubin and Swanson, 2010).