Occupational apartheid

Occupational apartheid is the concept in occupational therapy that different individuals, groups and communities can be deprived of meaningful and purposeful activity through segregation due to social, political, economical factors and for social status reasons.

Occupational apartheid may occur due to race, disability, age, gender, sexuality, religious preference, political preference, and creed. The health and wellbeing of these individuals, groups and communities is compromised through the deprivation of meaningful and purposeful activities.

In the light of day to day existence, every individual should be of equal status, no matter what their economic, political, health or social status. Occupational apartheid explains the reality that some people may be occupationally more equal than others. ^[1][2]

Groups that may experience occupational apartheid

• Homeless adults
• Lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgendered people
• Refugee and asylum seekers
• Religious groups
• Street children
• Survivors of domestic violence
• Women
• People who have been incarcerated

References

1. ^ Kronenberg, F. Simó Algado, S. and Pollard, N. (2007) Occupational Therapy Without Borders: Learning from the Spirit of Survivors. London: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone
2. ^ Pollard, N. Sakellariou, D. and Kronenberg, F. (2008) A Political Practice of Occupational Therapy. Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone