Marginalised

Marginalised is an adjective describing individuals or groups that are pushed to the margins of society, experiencing limited access to resources, rights, or decision-making power. The noun form marginalization (or marginalisation) refers to the process or state of being marginalized. The term is used in sociology, political science, human rights, and public policy to discuss social exclusion.

Etymology: from margin, to place at the edge; used since the 19th century in discussions of social structure.

Marginalisation is often structural: laws, institutions, and cultural norms create or reproduce disadvantage; it is not merely personal discrimination but systemic exclusion. It can affect multiple interlocking identities (intersectionality) and thus produce compounded disadvantages.

Common axes include race or ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, sexuality, disability, migration status, language, and age. Consequences include poor educational achievement, limited healthcare access, unemployment, housing insecurity, political disenfranchisement, and exposure to violence.

Responses include inclusive policy design, anti-discrimination laws, targeted programs, participatory governance, accessibility measures, and civil society advocacy. Critics warn that the term can oversimplify or essentialize groups; careful use and attention to agency and resilience are advised.