格差社会 (かくさしゃかい)

Definition

格差社会 refers to a society with significant social and economic disparities between different groups of people. It means that there are large gaps in wealth, income, education, and opportunities among individuals.

Analogy

Imagine a race where some runners have a head start while others are left far behind. The runners represent different social groups, and the distance between them symbolizes the disparities in their living conditions and opportunities.

Related terms

貧富の差 (ひんぷのさ): This term specifically focuses on the wealth gap between the rich and poor within a society.

教育格差 (きょういくかくさ): Educational disparities refer to differences in access to quality education based on socioeconomic factors.

就職難 (しゅうしょくなん): Job scarcity or difficulty finding employment is often associated with 格差社会 as certain groups face more challenges in securing stable jobs.