A condition or feature that puts someone in a better position than others. It is something helpful that makes success more likely.
From Old French *avantage* meaning “superiority, benefit,” from *avant* “before, in front.” The idea is of being “ahead” of others.
An ‘advantage’ is literally what puts you ‘in front’ in a race you might not even see. Once you notice advantages—like extra time, better tools, or good health—you see how uneven many competitions really are.
Discussions of "advantage" and "disadvantage" intersect with gender, as men in many societies have held structural advantages in education, property, and employment. However, the word itself is not inherently gendered.
When discussing advantages, be explicit about structural and systemic factors rather than attributing outcomes solely to individual merit. Note gendered patterns of advantage where supported by evidence.
["benefit","edge","privilege"]
Analyses of gender advantage and disadvantage have been crucial in documenting pay gaps, representation gaps, and access to resources, informing equity efforts.
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