Ch15 Flashcards
Define marginality.
An involuntary position and condition of an indiv or group at the edge of social, economic, and ecological systems, preventing access to resources, assets and services, restraining freedom of choice, preventing the development of capabilities, and causing extreme poverty.
It is important to avoid labelling whole categories of people as marginalised, without the analysis of the complex processes and workings of power that result in disadvantage.
Define intersectionality
Is a sociological theory that considers how various categories of oppression interact on multiple and often simultaneous levels, contributing to systematic social inequality.
The theory maintains that the experience of a particular indiv or group results from the interaction of multiple modes of oppression, or privilege, such as those based on race/thin city, gender, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, class, or disability. Marginalisation can be seen as a result from the intersections of these categories, which create complex social, locations and identities within society.
While intersectionality theory focuses on attributes that tend to be associated with marginalisation, social exclusion is a conceptual frame for thinking further about the processes that produce it.
Social exclusion
Refers to the societal and institutional processes that exclude certain groups from full participation in the social, economic, cultural and political life of societies.
Sub-category of marginality- with a particular emphasis on relational processes
Generally linked with poverty but not necessarily- can be excluded due to age, mental illness etc
Social inclusion
While a switch to using the more positive term ‘inclusion’, may at one level suggest an attempt to focus on goals rather than problems, it has also been criticised for deflecting attention from the power dynamics of exclusion to the problems of indivs
Implications for policy and practice
- health messages are more likely to be taken up and understood by those with better access to education and resources- this can cause further disparity between the groups and cause further disadvantage
- Proportionate universalism: a combination of targeted and universal policies and services that considers ppl at the bottom of the gradient and the gradient as a whole, ensuring that their impact is proportionately greater at the bottom.
- those concerned with improving the health of the whole population while also reducing health inequalities generally advocate a balance of universal and targeted services and programs.
- targeting disadvantaged populations or geographic locations also runs a very real risk of increasing stigma and be counter-productive.