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Dimensions of Diversity

What is Caste?

Definition from the Open Education Sociology Dictionary:

  • n. A stratified system of categorization based on a status conferred at birth (ascribed status) based on descent, in which individuals do not have mobility due to custom or law;
  • n. A group and the individual members of a group within a caste.

Definition from the American Psychological Association Dictionary of Psychology:

  • any of the fixed hereditary classes of the Hindu caste system, which are held to be distinguished by different levels of essential purity. The main classes are (in order of status) brahmins or priests, warriors, merchants, and laborers; outcasts or untouchables are people of no caste. Until recently, mobility or intermarriage between castes was exceptional. 
  • any system of social stratification regarded as being comparably rigid.
  • any class of society distinguished by inherited privilege and exclusivity.

Definition from the Social Work Dictionary

  • A highly restrictive social class. In some societies people are born into their castes, which thereafter limits their choices of level and type of education, occupations, associations, and marital partners.

Why do social workers need to understand caste-related issues? 

Caste, a system of social stratification based on birth, occupation, and social status, is deeply entrenched in many societies, particularly in South Asia, and profoundly influences access to resources, opportunities, and power. Caste systems often impose rigid social roles, leading to discrimination, marginalization, and exclusion, particularly for those in lower castes or "untouchable" groups. These dynamics intersect with other forms of oppression, such as class, gender, and religion, creating compounded inequities that perpetuate cycles of poverty, limited educational access, and poor health outcomes. Although caste is most commonly associated with India and Nepal, caste-based hierarchies and discrimination also exist in other parts of the world, including diaspora communities. Social workers must understand how caste, alongside class and other identities, impacts clients' lived experiences, particularly in communities affected by caste-based stigma. This knowledge is essential for dismantling caste-based discrimination, advocating for social justice and equality, and providing culturally competent services that affirm the dignity and rights of individuals, regardless of their caste status.

Readings on Caste

Additional Resources

Videos about Caste

Organizations addressing Caste Inequalities

Days of Awareness