Marginality and individual consciousness

de Deborah Pellow

Following the pioneering efforts of the sociologists Park and Stonequist, this paper focuses upon two questions germane to the explication of the "marginal man" theory: whether marginality is an ascribed characteristic and whether the sociological limits of applicability of the theory go beyond those of cultural or racial contact. Focusing upon African cities, it is suggested that marginality is engendered by social circumstances but triggered by individual consciousness; only the individual aware of exclusion can become the "marginal man." Moreover, male/female interaction, in its hierarchical ordering, can serve as a basis for marginality. As women gain privilege in social, economic, and political areas previously reserved for men, they are regarded as competitors and experience the discrimination similar to that leveled at minority group members. The paper concludes that African women's marginal status may not only be a consequent of social change but an antecedent as well, thereby making such carriers of marginality agents of change.