Ordinal segregation

Date and country of first publication

2009
United States

Definition

Ordinal segregation refers to the practice of dividing or segregating individuals based on their ordinal position or rank in a particular group, such as a hierarchy or social class. This can be seen in various aspects of society, including education, employment, and political systems.

For example, in education, ordinal segregation may manifest as tracking or ability grouping, where students are placed into different classes or programs based on their academic performance or abilities. This can result in unequal access to resources and opportunities, leading to disparities in educational outcomes.

In the workplace, ordinal segregation can occur through the hierarchical structure of organizations, where individuals in higher positions have more power, privileges, and opportunities compared to those in lower positions. This can contribute to income inequality and limited upward mobility for individuals in lower ranks.

Ordinal segregation can also be observed in political contexts, where certain groups or classes are granted more political power and influence than others. This can result in unequal representation and decision-making processes, further exacerbating social inequalities.

Overall, ordinal segregation perpetuates social stratification and reinforces systems of privilege and disadvantage based on one's position or rank within a particular group or society.

Related segregation forms

Ordinal segregation is frequently discussed in the literature with the following segregation forms:

social segregation, occupational segregation, spatial segregation, school segregation, within-school segregation

This visualization is based on the study The Multidisciplinary Landscape of Segregation Research.

For the complete network of interrelated segregation forms, please refer to:

• First year of publication

• Louvain clusters

• Betweenness centrality

• Disciplines in which segregation forms first emerged (Scopus database).

Ordinal segregation appears in the following literature

Reardon S.F. (2009). Measures of ordinal segregation. Research on Economic Inequality, 17(), 129-155. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1049-2585(2009)0000017011

Silber J., Yalonetzky G. (2011). Measuring inequality in life chances with ordinal variables. Research on Economic Inequality, 19(), 77-98. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1049-2585(2011)0000019007

Monkkonen P., Zhang X. (2014). Innovative measurement of spatial segregation: Comparative evidence from Hong Kong and San Francisco. Regional Science and Urban Economics, 47(1), 99-111. Elsevier.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.regsciurbeco.2013.09.016

Ivaniushina V., Makles A.M., Schneider K., Alexandrov D. (2019). School segregation in St. Petersburg the role of socioeconomic status. Education Economics, 27(2), 166-185. Routledge.https://doi.org/10.1080/09645292.2018.1538408