Segregation is a term derived from the Latin word segregatio. Literally, it translates as "separation", or "restriction." Segregation can be of various types - they will be considered in the article. In addition, the question will be raised about gender segregation (this phenomenon is somewhat different from the usual practice of applying the concept), the degree of its influence on the professional and especially political sphere.
What is segregation: definition
Let's start, as usual, with terminology. Segregation is a phenomenon that is understood as the policy or practice of dividing racial or ethnic groups. This can be manifested in the restriction or prohibition of cohabitation, study and / or work, other forms of social activity.
Graduation
Segregation is divided into the following levels:
- microsegregation - includes the delineation of public places (for example, toilets, showers, wagons, and so on). An example is the United States until the sixties of the last century: the separation of white and black people;
- mesosegregation - the separation of one part of the population from another within the city by district (for example, the ghetto);
- macrosegregation - the division of peoples into large territories (an example - reservations).
Types of Segregation
By type, two main groups are divided: segregation (examples will be considered during the explanation, as in the previous paragraph), actual and legal.
Both types in the name itself carry a clue, that is, an interpretation of the terms. Actual - upon availability, legal - according to the legislation of the country.
Actual segregation
Actual segregation is a spontaneous, self-assembled phenomenon. It occurs in multinational and multiracial societies, when the resettlement, division of labor and education between representatives of different groups (religious, racial or ethnic) occurs “by itself”, in the course of development of society. The practice of such segregation is what is characteristic of megacities, large cities. The clearest example is the separation of
ethnic groups by place of residence in Western states.
Legal segregation
Legal segregation - this is officially enshrined in law or some other document, that is, legal confirmation, separation. The policy of legal segregation is a phenomenon that manifests itself in a separate, and often forced resettlement of various races and ethnic groups. Examples are ghettos, reservations, and more. Legal segregation is usually accompanied by restrictions on rights and freedoms, such as movement, choice of profession, place of residence and study.
This type of segregation is also a form of discrimination based on national, religious and racial grounds. He took especially severe forms during the Nazi regime in Germany.
Gender segregation
Gender occupational segregation is a phenomenon in which there is a separation of men and women, if possible, to receive posts of different status. This refers to the professional-structural framework.
It also has two types.
Horizontal segregation
A concept that includes gender segregation by labor industry. This means that some areas in which women work are associated with femininity, and those in which men are associated with masculinity.
Vertical segregation
The division is not by industry sectors, but by different types of labor performed by a representative of a particular gender.
Stereotypicality about “male” and “female” professions
The phenomenon of horizontal occupational segregation is associated with typical ideas about “male” and “female” occupations. Despite the fact that some skills are actually inherent in one gender to a greater extent than another, nevertheless stereotypes arise not on the basis of these biological characteristics, but on the natural distribution of social roles.
Feminization of areas
The feminization of the areas of labor boils down to the fact that some professions, previously considered “male”, now become “unisex,” that is, they are not dependent on gender. Studies also show that the higher the level of feminization, the lower the level of remuneration in such areas.
Hierarchical structure of posts
Vertical occupational segregation is supported by a set of different genders at different levels of the same occupational group. Moreover, women are put on lower levels, and men, respectively, on higher.
Political sphere
Gender stereotypes also affect the political sphere. First of all, you need to understand that they will exist as long as there is a difference between the sexes.
In the political sphere, the concept of leadership is especially important, which differ significantly for men and women. The first, for example, is often credited with competence, and the second - expressiveness.
So how is gender segregation manifested in the political sphere? If we consider this phenomenon on the example of the Russian Federation, then we can clearly trace that women's representation at the level of the State Duma chambers is extremely low.