Caste is an ancient system of social hierarchy based on one’s birth that is tied to concepts of purity and social status. Its history, evolution and current state are complicated. A move to ...

Dallas Stribley / Getty Images A caste system segregates people into fixed social groups based on discriminatory notions of purity and contamination. People are placed into fixed social groups in ...

For millions across India, a rigid caste system thousands of years old still dictates much of daily life – from social circles to dating pools to job opportunities and schooling. The Indian ...

Even in India, where the caste system was most rigid, the practice has been officially banned since 1950. Essentially, a caste system is a rigid assignment of social status based on inheritance.

Why do people defend social systems that oppress them? Why do the marginalized sometimes work to uphold structures and arrangements that limit their potential? These questions are not just ...