Understanding Social Exclusion: Causes, Forms, and Solutions
Weaknesses
The lack of capacity or resources generally considered necessary to fully develop human potential.
Hurricane Katrina
Certain individuals or groups are perceived by the rest of society as having distinguishing features.
Indifference
An attitude of lack of interest and compassion that leads us to worry about the situation and problems of others.
Xenophobia
From the Greek word meaning fear of the stranger or foreigner. It applies to attitudes of fear and hatred of people and things perceived as foreign.
Attitudes
Positive or negative dispositions toward certain persons or things that influence our behavior towards them.
Active Acceptance
A positive attitude towards people or things that results in open and fluid treatment.
Equal Opportunities
The principle that the scope for improving that society makes available to people must depend on capacity and merit.
Solidarity
An attitude and behavior of support and help towards people and groups with which we are united.
Two Main Types of Problems
- Techno-environmental: Those caused by technological developments and their consequences for the environment.
- Social: Those that originate in the way we relate to individuals and groups.
Social Exclusion as a Problem
The most serious problems of this type arise from the difficulties of social integration. Socially excluded individuals lack opportunities and benefits essential to function as a person in society.
Forms of Social Exclusion
- Economic Exclusion: Affects people who lack sufficient economic resources to lead a dignified life.
- Exclusion for Educational Disadvantage: Affects citizens whose low level of training prevents acceptable professional engagement.
- Exclusion of Cultural Roots: The effect of life habits, customs, and beliefs that conflict with the majority in society.
- Exclusion Because of Race: Harms those with a certain racial appearance.
- Exclusion Because of Gender: Still limits the chances of women.
- Exclusion Because of Age: Threatens the younger and older populations.
- Exclusion for Physical or Mental Disabilities: Such as blindness, but also other mental abilities.
- Exclusion of Physical Appearance: Affects those whose physical appearance differs from the majority.
- Exclusion for Sexual Orientation: Marginalizes people who do not have a heterosexual orientation.
Gaps and Peculiarities of the Excluded
Social groups are characterized by certain shortcomings or deficiencies and peculiarities. While shortcomings are negative, peculiarities need not be.
Shortcomings that Lead to Exclusion
- Those that have a natural origin or have been caused by an accident. We must alleviate these shortages with all the resources of science and technology and create suitable opportunities for the disabled.
- Those that have a social origin. They are often the result of the structure of our societies and the dynamics of development, which tend to marginalize weaker social sectors.
Peculiarities that Lead to Exclusion
The peculiarities of certain groups do not have to be detrimental. The problem arises when other social sectors react with hostility and repudiate those peculiarities.
Attitudes that Lead to Exclusion
Similar to gaps, indifference is an attitude that favors exclusion. Developing attitudes of acceptance of difference—within the common framework of respect for human rights and laws—is the best way to combat these forms of exclusion born from social rejection.
Citizen Equality Between Different People
What identifies us as citizens is not what we have in common, but the broader common good that affects and encompasses us all. That common good is defended by law. Equality among citizens is an equality between different and solitary people.
The Citizen is Equal to Freedom
Equality means equal opportunities for personal accomplishment, i.e., the objective exercise of our individual freedom.
The Equality of Citizenship is Based on Respect
Equality, which aims for the equal freedom of each, must be based on respect, on the acceptance of the dignity and freedom of others. It cannot be authoritatively imposed but agreed upon democratically.
Citizen Equality Requires Solidarity
Social exclusion violates equality, and without equality, there can be no freedom for all. This is why the exclusion of disadvantaged social groups is the greatest enemy of civic life and must be fought with solidarity.