Oppression meaning: what is oppression?
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Oppression definition
Oppression refers to the institutional, unfair usage of power and authority to discriminate and place restrictions on an individual or group, restricting their freedom and limiting their ability to wholly embed themselves into society.
Oppression is evident in systematic structures, such as social, education, political or cultural structures that favour one group over another, thus reinforcing inequality. Oppression involves the elevation of the majority – or dominant – groups, and the restriction of marginalised, or underrepresented groups, perpetuating the cycle of discrimination. Examples of systems of oppression include racism, sexism, ableism, classism and ageism.
Recognising and working to mitigate oppression is thus crucial to overcoming barriers to equal opportunities.
Real-world context
- Reduced diversity and inclusion: Oppression can impede efforts to cultivate diverse and inclusive workplaces, as when certain groups face systematic barriers, it limits their representation within the workplace. As a result, organisations can become deprived of diverse perspectives, creativity and innovation.
- Decreased employee morale: Oppressive environments can negatively affect employee morale and wellbeing, as oppression can lead to feelings of exclusion, stress and disengagement. As a result, workplace productivity and collaboration can be impacted, resulting in decreased workplace satisfaction and employee retention. Organisations are therefore at risk of losing diverse talent due to lack of support, psychological safety and a feeling of belonging.
- Reputational damage: Organisations that are seen to tolerate oppressive practices put themselves at risk of reputational damage. Employees, stakeholders and the general public are increasingly holding organisations accountable for ethical DE&I practices. Therefore, companies who fail to implement inclusive practices are at risk of facing public backlash, which can result in financial loss, employee loss and reduced customer loyalty.
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