Makes use of something for profit or advantage, often unfairly. Takes advantage of a person or situation, sometimes in an unethical manner.
From Old French 'esploitier' meaning to accomplish or achieve, from Latin 'explicare' (to unfold). The negative connotation of unfair advantage developed later, though the neutral sense of 'making use of' remains.
The word has a fascinating dual nature - it can mean both heroic achievements (as in 'daring exploits') and unethical manipulation. This reflects how the same action of 'making use of something' can be viewed positively or negatively depending on context.
Sexual exploitation has disproportionately targeted women and girls historically; the term carries gendered violence. Labor exploitation also has gendered dimensions (unpaid domestic/care work).
Use precisely. When discussing exploitation, name the gendered patterns (wage gap, sexual violence, unpaid care work) rather than treating exploitation as gender-neutral.
Women's unpaid labor and sexual coercion are documented forms of exploitation; center these in analysis rather than marginalizing them as special cases.
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