Gender and Social Exclusion

Gender and Social Exclusion Name Institution Due Date Gender and Social Exclusion Introduction As much as the world may want to lie about it, social exclusion is still an issue in the 21st century. The term social exclusion is one that has become quite common in Europe. In Britain, for example, the term was first used in 1997. According to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (2004), the term was coined in an “attempt to define not just income poverty, but many other forms of disadvantage that exclude people from mainstream activities and society.” The government of Britain came up with a definition of social exclusion that sums up what it entails. UK’s government thus defines social exclusion as “a short-hand term for what can happen when people or areas suffer from a combination of linked problems such as unemployment, discrimination, poor skills, low incomes, poor housing, high crime, bad health, and family breakdown.” The above definition appears broad and includes other issues that arise as a result of social inequality “and intergenerational disadvantage” (Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, 2004). In simple terms, social exclusion can be said to be a form of discrimination or intentional marginalization which disadvantages a group of people. Social exclusion is an evil that has made sure that the world remains as is for a long time. The article from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister continues to note that social exclusion creates a vicious cycle. The problems are linked and, in the end, it becomes intergenerational with children of socially excluded parents following in the same footsteps. Social exclusion is an expensive endeavor and countries all over the world are cutting children’s dreams short by not providing them with equal opportunities for advancement. While at face value it may seem like the problem affects only a small group of people, in the end, an entire country, economy, and society loses. In this article, the focus will be on social exclusion and its relation to gender. The subsequent sections will thus discuss the thin line between gender and social exclusion, the implications of social exclusion in the developed world, how different countries discriminate on the basis of gender and finally provide an explanation of why social exclusion is still an issue in the 21st century. What does gender have to do with social exclusion? Marlaine Lockheed (2010) notes that “social exclusion can arise through long-term persecution (for example, via slavery or homeland dispossession) and through membership of certain identifiability different social and ethnic groups. This phenomenon creates barriers to education for children – and especially for girls.” In a world that has often glorified men over women, it is no surprise that women are marginalized. In some countries, women have been denied some basic rights with men still considered superior over them. Traditionally, women were confined or were limited to household chores. This continued until women started to voice their displeasure at being considered inferior to men. Names such as Anna Wheeler, Louisa Garret Anderson, Juliette Adam, and Jane Addams do ring a bell because they belong to the group of women who decided they want change....