A
second-class citizen is a person who is systematically
discriminated against within a
state or other
political jurisdiction, despite their nominal status as a citizen or legal resident there. While not necessarily
slaves,
outlaws or
criminals, second-class citizens have limited legal rights, civil rights and socioeconomic opportunities, and are often subject to mistreatment or neglect at the hands of their putative superiors. Instead of being protected by the law, the law disregards a second-class citizen, or it may actually be used to
harass them (see
police misconduct and
racial profiling). Systems with
de facto second-class citizenry are generally regarded as violating human rights. Typical impediments facing second-class citizens include, but are not limited to,
disenfranchisement (a lack or loss of voting rights), limitations on
civil or
military service (not including
conscription in every case), as well as restrictions on
language,
religion,
education, freedom of movement and association, weapons ownership,
marriage,
gender identity and expression,
housing and
property ownership.