Interactive segregation

2001
israel

Interactive segregation refers to the act of voluntarily or involuntarily separating different groups of people into separate physical or social spaces. This can occur along various dimensions, such as race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, religion, or gender.

Interactive segregation can manifest in different ways, such as:

1. Residential segregation: This occurs when individuals of certain groups predominantly live in specific neighborhoods or areas. This can lead to the concentration of certain ethnic or socioeconomic groups in particular parts of a city, resulting in limited interaction and potential isolation from other groups.

2. School segregation: This occurs when students from different racial or socioeconomic backgrounds attend different schools. This can be a result of factors like residential segregation, school district zoning, or school choice policies. School segregation can impact educational opportunities and perpetuate disparities between different groups.

3. Social segregation: This refers to the self-imposed separation of individuals from different groups in everyday social interactions. For example, individuals might choose to associate primarily with people of their own race, religion, or socioeconomic background, leading to limited cross-cultural interactions and reinforcing social divisions.

4. Online segregation: With the rise of social media and online communities, interactive segregation can also occur in virtual spaces. People may intentionally or unintentionally segregate themselves into online echo chambers, surrounding themselves with individuals who share similar beliefs or perspectives.

Interactive segregation can have significant consequences for society, including the perpetuation of inequalities, limited exposure to diverse cultures and perspectives, and the reinforcement of stereotypes and biases. Addressing interactive segregation requires efforts to promote inclusivity, diversity, and equal opportunities for all individuals, both in physical and virtual spaces.

Further reading

Goldhaber R.; Schnell I. (2007) "A model of multidimensional segregation in the Arab Ghetto in Tel Aviv Jaffa", Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, 98(5), pp. 603-620. . DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9663.2007.00428.x

Schnell I.; Harpaz M. (2005) "A model of a heterogeneous neighborhood", GeoJournal, 64(2), pp. 105-115. . DOI: 10.1007/s10708-005-4093-0

Schnell I.; Yoav B. (2001) "The sociospatial isolation of agents in everyday life spaces as an aspect of segregation", Annals of the Association of American Geographers, 91(4), pp. 622-636. Blackwell Publishing Inc.. DOI: 10.1111/0004-5608.00262