marginalisaation

Marginalisaation (marginalisation) is a social process in which individuals or groups are pushed toward the margins of society, limiting access to economic resources, social services, political influence, and cultural recognition. It is often structural and systemic rather than the sum of isolated prejudices, and it frequently intersects with other hierarchies such as gender, ethnicity, disability, migration status, sexuality, age, and geography.

Causes and mechanisms: structural economic changes, policy choices, legal status, and unequal distribution of power create barriers to education, employment, housing, healthcare, and justice. Exclusion is reinforced by discriminatory practices, stigmatizing representations in media, language barriers, and geographic isolation.

Examples and consequences: marginalisation affects ethnic minorities, migrants and refugees, persons with disabilities, older people, rural communities, and LGBTQ+ individuals in hostile contexts. Consequences include poorer health outcomes, lower educational attainment, higher unemployment or informal work, insecure housing, and limited political voice, which in turn can perpetuate cycles of poverty and social exclusion.

Responses and measurement: approaches include anti-discrimination laws, inclusive policymaking, universal design, accessible services, and targeted social programs. Empowerment and participatory governance aim to broaden representation. Researchers measure marginalisation using indicators of social exclusion, income and wealth gaps, access to services, and representation in decision-making, with attention to intersectionality and local context.