noun the practice of holding people in servitude or partial slavery, especially to work off a debt or other obligation
Peonage was a system of involuntary servitude that was practiced in the United States, particularly in the Southern states after the Civil War.
Peonage is illegal under federal law in the United States, as it violates the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution.
Advocates for social justice work to combat peonage and other forms of forced labor.
Peonage can have economic implications, as it can suppress wages and exploit vulnerable workers.
Peonage is often associated with violations of labor rights and human rights, as workers are forced into servitude.
Peonage can be a form of modern-day slavery and is considered a form of human trafficking.
Peonage can be used as a metaphor in writing to describe a situation where someone is in a position of servitude or low status.
Psychologists may study the psychological effects of peonage on individuals and societies.
Historians may research and write about the historical use of peonage in different cultures and time periods.
Sociologists may analyze the social structures that perpetuate peonage and its impact on marginalized communities.