Physical segregation

1952
united states

Physical segregation refers to the deliberate separation of individuals or groups based on physical characteristics, such as race, ethnicity, gender, or disability. This can take various forms, such as the separation of people into different residential areas, schools, public facilities like bathrooms or drinking fountains, or transportation systems.

Historically, physical segregation has been used as a means of maintaining social and economic inequality, with marginalized groups being excluded from mainstream society and denied equal access to resources and opportunities. Examples include the apartheid system in South Africa, where black and white South Africans were forcibly separated in all aspects of life, or the segregation of African Americans in the United States during the era of Jim Crow laws.

Physical segregation is generally seen as a violation of basic human rights and is widely condemned. Many countries have implemented laws and policies to promote integration and equal treatment of all citizens, regardless of their physical characteristics. However, in some cases, de facto segregation may still persist, particularly in areas with deep-rooted social or economic inequalities.

Further reading

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Zhang X.; Zhao X.; Dang J.; Liu L. (2022) "Physical segregation impedes psychological integration: scene inconsistency increases prejudice against minority groups", Current Psychology, 41(9), pp. 5849-5858. Springer. DOI: 10.1007/s12144-020-01085-5

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