outcast

An outcast refers to an individual or group that is rejected or excluded by a broader community or social group, often through social sanction, stigma, or formal excommunication. The term emphasizes the act of being cast out rather than self-imposed isolation. In sociology, it is related to concepts such as ostracism, marginalization, and pariah status. The designation can apply to various contexts, including family, workplace, religious communities, ethnic groups, or political communities.

Causes vary: deviations from normative behavior, differences in race, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, disability, or economic status; perceived threat to group cohesion; violations of norms; or institutional discrimination. Exclusion can be deliberate (ostracism by peers, excommunication by religious authorities) or structural (economic displacement, legal sanctions).

Effects include psychological distress, decreased self-esteem, social withdrawal, reduced access to resources such as housing or healthcare, and intergenerational disadvantage. Outcast status can be temporary or enduring and may shift with changing social norms or advocacy movements.

Responses include seeking support networks, community organizing, legal protections, anti-discrimination policies, and inclusive practices. In literature and history, outcasts are often depicted as protagonists or social commentators, illustrating the tensions between individual dignity and collective norms.