Segregation is the act or policy of separating people into different groups based on characteristics such as race, sex, religion, ethnicity, or social class, often resulting in unequal treatment or access to resources and opportunities
. It can be legally enforced (de jure segregation) or occur in practice without explicit laws (de facto segregation)
. Historically, segregation has been used to maintain social hierarchies and discrimination, such as racial segregation under Jim Crow laws in the United States, which mandated separate facilities for different races under the "separate but equal" doctrine until it was ruled unconstitutional in public schools in 1954
. Segregation can manifest in various aspects of daily life, including schools, housing, public transportation, and workplaces, often reinforcing social and economic disparities
. While sometimes segregation is voluntary or practical, such as grouping by age or skill in education or sports, it frequently leads to exclusion and inequality
. The European Commission defines segregation as separating people without objective and reasonable justification based on race, color, language, religion, nationality, or ethnic origin, linking it closely to discrimination
. In summary, segregation is the separation of groups that often results in unequal treatment and social division, historically and presently impacting civil rights and social justice worldwide
