Another Viewpoint on Social Exclusion: People Who Exclude Themselves

Abstract

Studies or policies related to social exclusion have conventionally focused on the groups needing help or support. We approach the subject of social exclusion in alternative way, by identifying groups of people who don’t want to get help or support from others. We categorized survey respondents into four groups:the 'non-excluded group' who have someone to turn to and who are willing to seek help (Group I), the 'voluntarily excluded group' who have someone to whom they can turn but who are not willing to seek help (Group II), the 'involuntary excluded group' who do not have someone to whom to turn but who are willing to seek help (Group III) and the 'self-withdrawn group' (Group IV) who neither have someone to turn to for help nor are willing to seek help. The data from the 「Social Participation, Capital, Awareness」 survey showed that tthere was a higher percentage in Groups I and III (those who were willing to seek help) who agreed to the government’s role in reducing income inequality and expanding social welfare. In addition, the willingness to participate in society was higher in those willing to seek help (Groups I, and III) than in those not willing to seek help (Groups II and IV). This study has contributed to taking the first step toward a comprehensive understanding of social exclusion by capturing groups who are not willing to seek help. It is necessary to keep in mind that these groups are highly likely to remain in a blind spot even if the society and the state have a support system. Further and in-depth studies of these populations will be needed.