What is Discrimination?

Discrimination is the treatment of an individual or group differently, and less favorably, on the basis of certain characteristics, such as race, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, or national origin.

Discrimination can take many forms, such as employment discrimination, housing discrimination, and educational discrimination. It can also occur in other areas, such as access to goods and services or in the criminal justice system.

Discrimination is illegal in many countries, and is prohibited under a variety of laws, including the Civil Rights Act in the United States, the Equality Act in the United Kingdom and other similar laws around the world. It creates an unequal society and violates the principle of equal opportunities for all.

Characteristics of Discrimination

Some common characteristics of Discrimination include:

  • Unequal Treatment: Discrimination involves treating someone differently and less favorably than others based on certain characteristics. This can take the form of overt or subtle actions or policies.
  • Prejudice or Bias: Discrimination is often based on prejudice or bias, where individuals or groups are judged or treated differently based on their perceived characteristics, rather than on their actual abilities or qualifications.
  • Systemic: Discrimination can also occur in systemic or institutional forms, where patterns of discrimination are built into the structures, policies, or practices of an organization or society.
  • Affects Disadvantaged Groups: Discrimination disproportionately affects disadvantaged groups, such as minorities, women, people with disabilities, and older people, who may face additional barriers to equal opportunity and fair treatment.
  • Can Occur in Various Forms: Discrimination can occur in various forms, including employment, housing, education, and access to goods and services.
  • Can be Intentional or Unintentional: Discrimination can be intentional or unintentional. It can be a result of conscious bias or unconscious biases, which are the mental shortcuts or stereotypes that people unknowingly use to make sense of the world.
  • Harmful Effects: Discrimination can have harmful effects on individuals and groups, including emotional, psychological and financial harm.
Banner 4

What are the different types of Discrimination?

There are several different types of Discrimination that individuals and groups may experience.

Some common types of Discrimination include:

  1. Direct Discrimination: This occurs when an individual or group is treated less favorably on the basis of certain characteristics, such as race, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, or national origin. This type of discrimination is intentional and can be based on overt or subtle actions or policies.
  2. Indirect Discrimination: This occurs when an individual or group is disproportionately affected by a policy or practice that appears to be neutral, but in reality puts them at a disadvantage. For example, a job advertisement that requires a particular level of physical fitness may indirectly discriminate against individuals with disabilities.
  3. Harassment: Harassment is a form of discrimination that involves unwanted and unwarranted behavior, such as physical, verbal, or nonverbal conduct, that creates a hostile or intimidating environment. This can include hate speech, bullying, and sexual harassment.
  4. Victimization: This occurs when an individual is treated less favorably than others because they have complained about discrimination or helped someone who has been the victim of discrimination.
  5. Age Discrimination: Discrimination on the basis of age is treated as illegal when it comes to employment, access to goods and services, and other activities.
  6. Gender Discrimination: This type of discrimination is more common towards women and it can be in the form of unequal pay, sexual harassment, or limited opportunities.
  7. Race Discrimination: discrimination on the basis of race is illegal in many countries. This includes discrimination on the basis of skin color or ethnicity.
  8. Disability Discrimination: Discrimination on the basis of a person’s disability is illegal in many countries and can take many forms, such as denying access to goods, services, or employment opportunities.