What is social exclusion?
Social exclusion refers to the ways in which individuals may become cut off from full involvement in the wider society. It focuses on a broad range of factors that prevent individuals or groups from having opportunities open to the majority of the population.
Social exclusion is not accidental but systematic, as it is the result of structural features of society. It is social because it is about groups rather than just individuals. People may face exclusion based on gender, religion, ethnicity, language, caste, or disability, preventing them from accessing essential services like education, health, and banking.
Explanation
The answer is derived directly from the textbook definition provided in the context. It highlights that social exclusion is about being cut off from society and lacking opportunities available to the majority. The explanation emphasizes that this exclusion is systematic and structural, not accidental, and affects groups based on various social identities like caste or gender.