Meaning of Margination (What it is, Concept and Definition)

What is Margination:

Marginalization is the action and effect of marginalizing, that is, the action and effect of leaving a person, a group, an issue or a topic outside the context. The word comes from Latin margo either marginaliswhich means ‘edge’ or ‘limit’.

From this it follows that marginalization is an act through which someone or something is ignored, separated or excluded from a certain situation.

Marginalization in sociology

This term is widely used in sociology studies, since historically serious processes of social marginalization have been observed, the characteristics of which are alarming. Thus, certain sectors of society are made invisible, that is, put on the sidelines, either by the dominant culture or by government policies, which creates a situation of injustice and negatively impacts social tension indices.

Social marginalization is very characteristic of the capitalist production model, which has resulted in the absolutely unequal distribution of wealth.

Added to this is the ideological order of the secularized society, individualism, since this prevents the consolidation of a unifying discourse. Thus, the growing individualism as a form of culture prevents giving each subject a place of belonging to society, which accentuates marginalization.

The marginalized sectors are those that, due to a fissure in the system, do not have access to the goods and services that the integrated sectors of the dominant society do receive (light, water, communication, food).

Likewise, marginalization also implies the impossibility of the marginalized subject or social group to access training and employment opportunities (education and decent work).

As we see, marginalization is related to a problem of social class, although not exclusively. This is the most widespread form of marginalization, but it is also the most “naturalized”, that is, the most invisible.

Unlike marginalization due to racial and gender discrimination, which is frontal, deliberate and responds to cultural prejudices, the marginalization of the poor occurs, most of the time, due to absolute indifference.

See also Social equality.

Marginalization due to racial and gender discrimination

Throughout history, there have been groups traditionally marginalized in the social order, due to racial and gender discrimination.

Gender discrimination, for example, has affected women, relegating them from any level of decision-making and turning them into passive agents of men’s decisions, even in relation to their own lives. Much more, therefore, in relation to the social order. Today, this situation has been reversing.

Another sector widely affected by gender marginalization is the LGBT community, and within them, especially transsexuals. Important studies have revealed how many transsexuals are expelled from society to the point of being unable to even rent housing.

Another form of social marginalization rests on racial discrimination. Many ethnic or racial groups have been marginalized throughout history as a result of discrimination.

See also 9 extreme examples of social inequality.