Minorities

Minorities can be defined depending on specific context, but generally minorities make up either a subgroup that does not form a majority of the total population, or a group that, while not necessarily a numerical minority, is disadvantaged or otherwise has less political or economic power than a dominant group. The most prevalent form of minority groups, [Page 1391]that is, ethnic minorities, comprised less than 20% of the United States in 1980, and yet the projections are that by 2040, half of all Americans will be those now referred to as “minorities.”

Minorities can also be classified by gender, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation, and other criteria. Although the ratio of men to women is balanced in most societies, given the lower economic status and lack ...