What term describes a situation where a group of people becomes separated from society?

The term that best describes a situation where a group of people becomes separated from society is marginalization. Marginalization refers to the process by which certain groups are pushed to the edge of society, limiting their access to resources, opportunities, and participation in social, economic, and political life. This often leads to their diminished influence and visibility within the wider community, leaving them at a disadvantage compared to more dominant groups.

In this context, while isolation might imply a physical distancing or separation, it does not capture the socio-political nuances of being marginalized. Segregation refers to the enforced separation of different groups, typically based on race or ethnicity, but can connote legal or systemic separation rather than the broader social process. Exclusion specifically pertains to being deliberately left out from certain activities or groups but does not encompass the ongoing marginal status and lack of agency that marginalized groups often experience. Thus, marginalization adequately reflects the social dynamics at play when a group becomes separated from society.