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Sociology vocabulary · Class, Stratification and Inequality

Social exclusion

Meaning in sociology, with examples

nounCommon term

In sociology, social exclusion means: A situation in which individuals or groups are shut out from full participation in society, such as work, education, housing, services or political life.

In Turkish: sosyal dışlanma, toplumsal dışlanma

How it is used

Broader than poverty: it also covers lack of access to networks, services and decision-making. The term became common in European Union and UK policy from the 1990s. Researchers often stress that social exclusion is multidimensional.

Example sentences

  1. Poor public transport can lead to social exclusion for older people in rural areas.

  2. The programme aims to reduce social exclusion among young people who are not in education or work.

Common collocations

  • risk of social exclusion
  • tackle social exclusion
  • poverty and social exclusion
  • experience social exclusion
  • povertyA situation in which people lack the money or resources to meet their basic needs or to take part in the normal life of their society.
  • inequalityUnequal access to resources, opportunities, rights and rewards, such as income, education, health or power, between individuals or groups.
  • segregationThe separation of social groups, by law or in practice, so that they live, study or work in different places, such as separate neighbourhoods or schools.
  • stigmaA mark of disgrace attached to a characteristic, condition or identity, which leads other people to see a person as less acceptable or less normal.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Class, Stratification and Inequality

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