marginalized

Marginalized is a term used to describe individuals or groups that are pushed to the margins of social, economic, and political life, having limited access to resources, power, or representation. It refers both to a process of exclusion in everyday practice and to a social status arising from unequal power relations embedded in institutions and norms.

Marginalization is often linked to identity factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, disability, socio-economic status, language, immigration status, religion, and age. It can be structural, sustained through laws, policies, and institutions, or interpersonal, expressed through stigma, discrimination, or social exclusion. It affects domains such as education, employment, housing, healthcare, and political participation.

Causes include historical injustices, discriminatory practices, economic inequality, and cultural norms that devalue certain groups. Intersectionality describes how individuals may experience multiple, overlapping forms of marginalization that compound effects.

Consequences include poorer health outcomes, reduced life chances, limited political voice, and social isolation. Addressing marginalization involves inclusive policies, anti-discrimination law and enforcement, accessibility improvements, targeted services, community empowerment, and participatory decision-making that centers affected groups.

In scholarly and policy debates, the term is used with attention to context and risk of homogenizing diverse experiences. Critics urge careful use, recognizing agency and variability within marginalized populations.