The Bottom Rung of The Social Ladder

The bottom rung of the social ladder is where individuals who are perceived to be weak in some facet are pushed towards within an individual group.

The bottom rung is one step from being kicked out of a group, which feels deeply threatening to our existence as social beings whose historical survival depended upon belonging to a group: In nature, ostracized animals are typically the most vulnerable to death.

The bottom rung is where many individuals fiercely try not to be because it's so close to the edge... inching closer and closer to increased vulnerability... closer and closer to death...

The bottom rung, while perceived to be weak, paradoxically must have some source of continued strength and persistence in order to hang on to the edge while continuing to have to endure acts of submission.

The bottom rung, in many ways serves as the protector of a group, often by being sacrificed. The integrity of an entity or system tends to rely on a defined border, and the bottom rung often serves as the outer edge or border of the system we call a group.

The bottom rung therefore is an integral part of the larger system, and while vulnerable and given the least protection, for the benefit of the whole system, must be afforded some protections by those higher up the ladder.