maintain inequality

[meɪnˈteɪn ɪnˈɪkwɑləti]
verb phrase
manter a desigualdade
1. to keep or preserve a state of disparity, imbalance, or unequal treatment between individuals or groups
The government's policies maintain inequality by favoring wealthy corporations over small businesses.
As políticas do governo mantêm a desigualdade ao favorecer grandes corporações em detrimento de pequenas empresas.
2. to continue sustaining systems or practices that perpetuate social, economic, or political disparity
Educational discrimination continues to maintain inequality in opportunities for minority students.
A discriminação educacional continua a manter a desigualdade de oportunidades para estudantes das minorias.
This phrase is frequently used in Brazilian and American political, social, and academic discourse when discussing systemic racism, economic disparity, and social justice. In Brazil, discussions of maintaining inequality often reference historical racial discrimination and class systems, while in the USA, the phrase is commonly employed in debates about wealth distribution, access to education, and criminal justice reform.
NYC Slang
keep the game rigged; keep the playing field uneven
Synonyms / Sinônimos
perpetuate inequalitysustain disparityuphold imbalancepreserve inequalityreinforce inequality
Antonyms / Antônimos
reduce inequalitypromote equalityeliminate disparitybridge inequalityequalize opportunities

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
manter a desigualdade
Standard usage across Brazil in formal and informal contexts
Rio de Janeiro
manter a desigualdade; perpetuar a disparidade
Both terms used in academic and political discourse
São Paulo
manter a desigualdade; sustentar a disparidade
Commonly used in business and policy discussions
Portugal
manter a desigualdade; perpetuar a disparidade
Similar usage as Brazil; slightly more formal tone in official contexts

Related Words

structural inequalitysocioeconomic disparitysystemic discriminationwealth gapsocial injusticemarginalization

Related Idioms & Phrases

perpetuate the status quo
keep the rich rich and the poor poor
maintain the status quo
uphold the system
keep disparities alive
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