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Encyclopedia of Quality of Life and Well-Being Research pp 1654–1658Cite as

Disadvantaged Populations

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Synonyms

Heterosexism; Ostracism; Parity of populations groups; Racism; Sexism; Social caste; Social class; Social stigma; Social vulnerability

Definition

Structural inequalities between members of more advantaged and more disadvantaged population groups are a central feature of all societies. These inequalities are deeply rooted in the past and have been carried forward into the present. Their persistence severely undermines local, national, and global efforts to promote advances in the quality of life and well-being of people at all levels of social, political, and economic organization. They also are among the root causes of many of the civil wars and recurrent intraregional conflicts that interfere with national and international social progress.

Description

The terms “historically disadvantaged population groups” and “disadvantaged populations” were coined by the United Nations in 1948 to describe the status of population groups that were prevented from participating in some or...

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2), University of Pennsylvania, 311 Woodside Avenue, Narberth, PA, 19072, USA

    Richard J. Estes

Authors
  1. Richard J. Estes
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Correspondence to Richard J. Estes .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, BC, Canada

    Alex C. Michalos

  2. (residence), Brandon, MB, Canada

    Alex C. Michalos

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Estes, R.J. (2014). Disadvantaged Populations. In: Michalos, A.C. (eds) Encyclopedia of Quality of Life and Well-Being Research. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0753-5_742

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