Nuances of Generational Transmission & Reinforcing Exclusion

 "No one is disadvantaged by birth"

This statement feels like a distant ideal in a world where labels and biases seem to mark our every step. But it’s true—no one is born with the burdens of exclusion or the privileges of power. Disadvantages that come from physical, cognitive, or health differences are inherent to a person, but the vast majority of societal disadvantages are constructed. They’re built, passed down, and constantly reinforced by the very communities we’re born into, shaped by traditions, expectations, and norms that have often been accepted without question for generations.

As we grow, we absorb these norms, often unconsciously, and they dictate the privileges that some of us enjoy and the marginalization that others endure. The cycle of exclusion and discrimination is multifaceted, fueled by the active choices of some and passive inheritance by others. Breaking this cycle requires understanding how these biases are perpetuated and acknowledging that change is possible, where we each take responsibility for reshaping our actions and beliefs.

Privilege and Disadvantage: A Social Construct

While certain differences are biological, social constructs of privilege and disadvantage are often assigned solely based on presumed factors. Gender, race, caste, class, religion, or ethnicity are some of the categories by which society assigns privilege to some and disadvantages others. These categories come with predefined roles, expectations, and restrictions, dictating what people can or cannot do, and who they can or cannot be.

These categories are not based on an individual's ability, ambition, or value but rather on norms that have been deeply ingrained over time. Some people benefit from this—whether they realize it or not—and others suffer under the weight of expectations they have never agreed to. In this unfair reality, much of our experience with advantages or disadvantages isn’t in our control; it is something we step into as we grow up in the societies that shape us.

Generational Transmission & Reinforcing Exclusion

To get a nuanced understanding of the role of generational transmission in reinforcing exclusion, first, we need to understand why some discriminatory practices continue to persist. And why, in many societies, only certain groups or sections of the population are constantly getting marginalized or excluded? The answer lies in how these regressive practices are passed down from one generation to the next. 

Norms, values, and behaviors are transmitted through families, communities, institutions, and social systems. Even as societies advance, discriminatory practices remain embedded because they are often handed down as “tradition,” insulating it from questioning.

There are two primary ways through which people reinforce exclusionary practices:

1. Active Reinforcement by Choice

Some individuals consciously choose to align with certain discriminatory norms. Often, these are the individuals who are in positions of privilege or power, and they actively align themselves with the regressive norms and practices and perpetuate these biases because it benefit them. By enforcing these norms, they retain control, dominance, and social standing. For example, men who consciously choose to uphold patriarchal values may enforce restrictions on women, dictating what they can wear, where they can go, or what roles they can occupy in family and society. By clinging to the advantages these norms, they uphold systems that marginalize women, maintaining a status quo that prevents others from attaining equality or agency.

This active reinforcement isn’t limited to individuals; it can happen at systemic levels. Social Institutions like marriage, family, Religion are one such structured ways that protect the privileges of some while disadvantaging others. Other institutions like Education systems, legal frameworks, and employment practices are few other areas where active decisions reinforce biases, setting up barriers that are difficult for marginalized communities to overcome.

2. Passive Reinforcement by Inheritance

The second type of reinforcement is passive, these are the individuals who didn’t make a concious decision to align themselves with the exclusionary norms and practices but were instead forced to bear and obey them. Often occurring in people who didn’t make a conscious choice to perpetuate these biases. Instead, they inherited them as “the way things are.” Many individuals, especially those raised in conservative or traditional societies, learn restrictive norms as children. Because they were exposed to them so early, these practices will feel like a natural order rather than a harmful construct.

For example, a woman raised in a patriarchal society may have been taught that her place is in the home, that she must be obedient and self-sacrificing, and that her worth is tied to her ability to serve. This has been her way of life. When she grows up and has children, she may pass down these same beliefs to her daughters, not because she actively wants to limit them, but because this way of life is all she knows. This passive reinforcement is equally damaging because it sustains regressive norms under the guise of tradition, continuing the cycle of disadvantage across generations.

Breaking the Cycle 

Breaking the cycle of marginalization and exclusion is not easy, but it is possible. It requires awareness of the biases we may unconsciously harbor and a willingness to question the traditions we inherit. The process of change starts with understanding the root of these regressive norms and recognizing that they don’t have to define our lives or choices. Privilege often blinds people to the realities of those who are marginalized. Developing empathy and inclusivity can help bridge this gap, fostering an environment where differences are celebrated, and everyone has a fair chance. 

Breaking the cycle means raising the next generation with awareness, teaching children about equality, respect and fairness will equip them to resist harmful norms and build a more inclusive society. The cycle of marginalization will only end when individuals decide to take responsibility for their actions and beliefs. Each of us has the power to question the traditions we were born into and redefine what is “right” and “just” in a way that respects every human being. By making the conscious decision to uphold fairness and reject exclusionary practices, we can build a society where privilege isn’t predetermined and opportunity isn’t limited by biases. Change is slow but it starts with each of us!