Prejudice still persists in Wales
Oct 15 2008 by Tom Bodden, Daily Post
A SIGNIFICANT amount of prejudice persists in Wales despite broadly positive attitudes towards race, gender, religion and disability, a major survey reveals.
More than one in three, 38%, of people in Wales admitted they would be unhappy if a close relative married or formed a relationship with a gipsy traveller.
Almost half of those questioned believed someone who suffered bouts of depression was unsuitable to be a primary school teacher.
Just under half believed unfair treatment of women continued in the workplace in Wales.
The first major survey into attitudes towards discrimination, equality and living together in Wales found discrimination least likely among those with the widest social groups, while those who stayed on in school and continued in education were significantly more accepting and inclusive towards others.
Now the Equality and Human Rights Commission, which commissioned the work, is to issue a challenge to “think again” before pinning negative labels on people.
A mobile billboard is to travel round Wales urging people to think beyond first impressions to see the “real person”.
The survey looked at attitudes towards age, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, transgender, disability and human rights.
Neil Wooding, commissioner for Wales, said: “While broadly positive, there is clearly prejudice among a significant minority of the people of Wales.
“The Commission will be working hard to ensure our work round good relations between people is firmly based within communities.”
Kate Bennett, the commission’s national director for Wales, said: “The people of Wales are largely comfortable with people from all backgrounds. But not everyone in this picture is being treated with fairness and respect.
“By gaining a better understanding of the people we live with, the barriers to a fairer Wales will be broken down.”
The report said the majority of those surveyed were not concerned by the prospect of more newcomers, including English people, moving into their communities.
Most adults had no problem with the idea of employing lesbian and gay people as primary school teachers and expected bed and breakfast owners to offer them the same welcome as others.
But some prejudices persisted, especially in negative attitudes towards people with mental health conditions, gipsy travellers and transgender people.
Prejudice was most stark towards transgender people, with only a third of adults saying they would happy for a relative to have a long-term relationship with a transgender person.
“Although transgender people now enjoy employment rights there is still widespread ignorance and prejudice in the public mind that needs to be addressed,” said Dr Olwen Williams, of the EHRC Wales Committee.
A significant minority had issues about immigration, focused on more people from Eastern Europe (32%) moving to Wales, followed by Muslims (30%), Black and Asian People (25%) and English immigrants (16%).
Those most concerned about English newcomers tended to be people in Mid and West Wales across all social classes, and Welsh first language speakers.
Four in 10 believe Welsh speakers have an unfair advantage in accessing jobs, particularly in local and Assembly government.
And a similar proportion feel employers should favour those who speak both Welsh and English when filling jobs.
Speakers of Welsh and those identifying themselves as Welsh were far more likely to favour bilingual recruitment and less likely to agree that Welsh speakers had an advantage.
Some 93% of adults support UK laws protecting human rights and 97% say it is never acceptable to bully or hit a partner.
Three quarters of all the young people surveyed feel they are not listened to and 94% think people should be allowed to work beyond retirement age and 90% of adults say fathers should be just as able to take time off to care for sick children as mothers.
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Comment by Annette Strauch on 15 October 2008:
I am a German – and I have been living here in different parts of Wales for eight years. At first, I was not aware of any prejudice.
In Cardiff, I found that most people were very open. There I met people from various religious backgrounds (Presbyterian, Bapists, Jewish, Islam, Sea of Faith network) and atheists. This was not a problem at all. I worked with a nice lady from Malaysia in the National Library of Wales. She was super and I found her more open than many of the other native employees. She’d always say good morning, share a cake which is not typical in Wales I have learnt.
I speak Welsh fluently. I taught myself. I wanted to because I like the Welsh culture, & I am a European Ethnologist / Cultural Anthropologist from Göttingen in Lower Saxony.
I have later encountered big, big problems between the Welsh and the English – not all of course – but a few. It does not have anything to do with education which I thought at first. I have met Welsh people with a PhD who are strongly against the English. This made me very sad. These problems I have come across especially in Mid Wales, in Aberystwyth and in Machynlleth.
There are no advantages for me speaking the Welsh language in finding a job for example. If one is good in his subject and cannot speak Welsh they should still employ this person. I think, however, if you live in a country you should be able to make an effort in learning the native tongue.
People in Wales would joke about the Second World War which for me as a German is not funny at all.
I know a woman who was a man and changed her gender. She could not continue living in North Wales because of gender issues. She moved to Cardiff where in general it’s been okay but there are huge problems when applying for a job or interviews, etc. Once even a brick was thrown in her window. I could write a lot more.
Welsh people I met are not as open about sex issues. I really miss going to saunas which has to do with health and wellness but people here often make fun about it.
Sincerely, A.S.
Comment by admin on 15 October 2008:
Transgender people seem to be the last to be accepted everywhere. Most of it comes from not really understanding or lack of knowledge.
Comment by Annette Strauch on 28 October 2008:
@admin: I agree. I think people can be narrow-minded and just do not want to know.
NEVER GIVE UP!