What Is the Meaning of Exploitation?

Exploitation of earth and outer space for good.

The positive meaning of exploitation has been given a negative connotation over time, though the word truly means to utilize resources for good purposes. The change may have happened around 1850, when the influence of anti-slavery writings surfaced, throwing the word around, attacking events and activities once praised. Natural resources and humans can be exploited for good or evil.

Definition

Exploitation is the positive promotion of persons or resources to their greatest possible advantage. On the negative side, people and resources are exploited through being used for selfish or greedy purposes, meaning both development and victimization can be confusing. Utilizing examples can clarify its dual definition.

Exploitation of Natural Resources

According to Richard Cronin of the Henry L. Stimson Center, a non-profit outreach institution, "The exploitation of natural resources is a key factor in economic growth and development, but one that can have serious negative environmental and socioeconomic impacts." He references over-exploitation repercussions, including the destruction of old growth forests, pollution of water resources and the decimation of fisheries. Developing methods of sustainable exploitation of land, water, animal life, air and minerals is of world-wide interest.

Exploiting Weaknesses in Technology

Advancing technology exploits the genius of the human brain, yet this same genius is at work trying to thwart it. Evil-doers attempt to steal information and infiltrate computer systems in the public and private sectors by exploiting holes in programming. Microsoft and others constantly watch out for gate-crashers. Microsoft's Active Protections Program (MAPP) investigates reported attacks and deploys protection to close vulnerabilities.

Exploitation - Human Trafficking

Christina T. Le, J.D., speaking at Hauser Global Law School on the exploitation of women and children, says that an estimated 600,000 to 800,000 people are taken against their will across borders each year, the majority being children and women. "In their efforts to find a better life, they become victims of vicious traffickers. Human trafficking is usually defined as, inter alia, forced sexual exploitation, involuntary servitude, or debt bondage."

Missing and Exploited Children

Reports by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children state one in five girls and one in 10 boys will be sexually exploited before reaching adulthood. Children are innocent victims of trusted family members, friends and strangers alike in the virtual and real world. "Approximately one in seven youth online (10 to 17 years old) received a sexual solicitation or approach over the Internet," states NCMEC. "Four percent received an aggressive sexual solicitation--a solicitor who asked to meet them somewhere; called them on the telephone; or sent them offline mail, money, or gifts. "

Exploitation for Good

Examples of positive exploitation are innumerable, including the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) which delivers climate and weather-related satellite images, data and products world-wide, and the Division of Ethics of Science and Technology of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which parallels the exploitation of outer space to early explorers Columbus and Magellan, whose motivations were highly related to the commercial outcome of their adventures.

References

• Dictionary: The American Heritage® Dictionary
• The Henry L. Stimson Center: Natural Resources and the Development-Environment Dilemma
• Microsoft: Malware Protection Center
• Hauser Global Law School: The Exploitation of Women and Children
• National Center for Missing and Exploited Children: FAQs