discrimination essay thesis

Discrimination - Free Essay Samples And Topic Ideas

Discrimination, a pervasive social issue, entails unjust treatment based on an individual’s identity traits like race, gender, or ethnicity. Essays might explore the psychological, social, and systemic roots of discrimination, its various manifestations, and its detrimental effects on individuals and communities. Moreover, discussions might extend to anti-discrimination initiatives, legal frameworks, and the role of education in combating discriminatory attitudes. We have collected a large number of free essay examples about Discrimination you can find at Papersowl. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

What is Discrimination?

Discrimination is well known in all societies. It is treating some people unequally that is treating people differently. Discrimination can be unlawful or legal. Legal discrimination is whereby you discriminate against a person for being who he or she is. However, if you treat a person in an unjust manner due to their race, religion, age, nationality ethical background or gender is said to be unlawful. In businesses, for instance, where an employer may decide to mistreat his or her […]

Fight against Discrimination

Discrimination is the treatment or making preference against or in favor of a person, on the grounds of category, color, group or race. People discriminated against are usually denied their full rights to either access or participate in activities. Discrimination can also be based on policies laid down to certain people from different activities or places, or can be against individuals with different ideas or opinions, like political or there can be laws set to bar some individuals from their […]

Aftershock: Beyond the Civil War Summary

Aftershock: Beyond the Civil War is a documentary aired on history channel on TV. The movie was directed by David Padrusch in the year 2006. The documentary is segmented into various series that describe the history of the time of the civil war in America. During that time, there was a deadly conflict between various races represented in America. The southern part of America was experiencing angry rebellion from the people. The Aftershock documentary is mainly focused on broadcasting the […]

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Discrimination of Races

Discrimination of races is something that is occuring in our society everyday. It still exists today because it started so long ago and once certain races had the hierarchy, some refuse to let go of the idea that they have more power just because they look a certain way and they choose to discriminate the minorities. Discrimination against a person's race occurs when an individual or group of individuals are treated unequally because of their true or perceived race. I […]

Stereotyping and Discrimination

Introduction The movie starts with all the animals living together and happily in the big city. Their peaceful lives are then disturbed by ferocious predators. The case goes to the swindler fox and a bunny cop, those who unintentionally solve many problems related to hidden cases of interspecies.Rhetorical Strategies Few of the negative observers interpret that movie does not openly or directly express the racism. Additionally, the writer named as Nico Lang also asserts that movie does not score much […]

Racial Inequality in America

The United States has been struggling with racial inequality for decades, and the media has been paying more attention to this issue. Race can impact the likelihood of graduating high school, attending college, or even maintaining a livable income as an adult (Back and Solomos, 2020). An individual's racial ethnicity is a factor when determining these outcomes and is worth noting. If you are skeptical of your race's role in the number of options you have, look no further than […]

Racism and Discrimination: the Influence of Past Sins

Discrimination against black people by white people in the United States had been regarded as a matter of course and justifiable for more than 300 years. Therefore, the problem is far more than whether the laws are prohibited or not, but whether people's mind and concepts are changed or not. The latter is something that everyone understands but is the most difficult to do. While looking at American history, the history of African Americans can be said to be soaked […]

Racism: Unmasking Microaggressions and Discrimination

Reading through the article provided a vivid reflection on how racism becomes a serious issue in the today society. There are various types of racism the article brings out manifested in micro aggression form. The varied opinions in my mind provide a clear picture of the information relayed in the article through the following analysis. Discrimination concerning race will major in my analysis. First, let me talk about the black guy abused in the Saudi Arabia that has sparked public […]

Is Racism Still a Current Issue in America

Racism is defined as prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior. It is no secret that America has a racist past, with issues like hate crimes, police brutality, and slavery. However, the concern of racism is still apparent in American society today. Completely eliminating racism will be very hard. However, to start the process of eliminating this issue, we need to start by recognizing our own […]

Discrimination in Workplace

Discrimination in workplace is when an employee experiences harsh or unfair because of his or her race, skin color, National origin, gender, disability, religion, or age. Discrimination is one of the biggest problems a lot of people face in a workplace, people gets judged based off their appearance and who they are. There are different ways of discrimination that occurs often in a workplace. One way is denying his/her a job cause of their race and gender all employers have […]

Discrimination against Blacks in a Raisin in the Sun

Chicago's Southside, like many other towns, suffers considerably post World War II. Racism stretches across the nation and into the Youngers, an African-American family in the play A Raisin in the Sun, home. Lorraine Hansberry, playwright of A Raisin in the Sun, vividly shows people how racism and discrimination can make a family suffer. Since racism will never go away, people need to learn how racism negatively impacts others' lives. Hansberry's play A Raisin in the Sun demonstrates how racism […]

Appeal to Ethos, Logos and Pathos Racism

Abraham Lincoln once said, Achievement has no color."", but is that really true? In many cases of racism, people have been suppressed and kept from being able to contribute to the society. Racism is a blight and a hindrance to our development. Imagine the many things we could do if people could set aside differences and cooperate meaningfully. Sadly that is not the case. In reality, people are put down because of their heritage and genetics. By no means is […]

About Gender Discrimination in Sports

Gender discrimination in sports has been a controversial topic for a long time. Men and women have been given different opportunities in the sports community. In the beginning, men had more rights than women. Even though gender inequality exists in sports, the situation has improved. Today there are several famous female athletes, such as Simone Biles, Abby Wambach, and Ronda Rousey. These women have made an impact on the gender discrimination matter; however, most sports are still dominated by men. […]

Main Causes of Discrimination

To the extent verifiable records appear, no general public or country has been insusceptible to discrimination, either as a victim or victimizer. Most of the causes of that discrimination and racism is given by fear of difference, through ignorance, and because people strive to show that they are stronger. Contemporary types of segregation go back to when European colonizers infiltrated and changed recently disengaged social orders and people groups. The more outrageous types of biased practices incorporate slavery, genocide, and […]

Racial Discrimination Within the Workplace

Racial Discrimination Within the Workplace Racial discrimination has played a big part in the United States history without a doubt however, there is still an argument on whether or not racial discrimination still exist in the U.S. in particular the workplace. According to Pew Research Center, over 150 million American are employed and of those 150 million 12.6% of employees are African American but many still say that they have experienced racism within the workplace. Racial discrimination is not only […]

“The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson: a Reflection on Gender Discrimination

Shirley Jackson’s, “The Lottery” depicted the cruelty of old principles and how they have effects on its citizens, especially on its women. In the story, the men are the one who choose a slip of paper that determined the horrific faith of one of their fellow townspeople. The women in the town have no right to choose a slip until her family has chosen theirs first. The lower down on the list that a citizen is increase their chance of […]

Three Problems of the Criminal Justice System and how to Fix them

The criminal justice system has an important role in society to maintain order and to ensure that law is equal and fair; no matter age, ethnicity, race, sex, or social economical status. Unfortunately, this is not true within the current judicial system. Racial discrimination, youth incarceration, and health related infirmities result from incarceration (Simonson, 2017). Three Problems of the Criminal Justice System and How to Fix Them There are many problems that plague our current criminal justice system. The problems […]

Discrimination and Prejudice in Frankenstein

During our human history, prejudice and discrimination have existed. Prejudice refers to the irrational and inflexible attitudes that members of a particular group hold about members of another group (Sibley and Duckitt 248). Prejudices are either harmful or positive. Both forms of prejudice are usually preconceived by the people who hold them and are extremely difficult to alter (Stephan, Cookie and Stephan 33). The negative form of prejudices leads to discrimination- unjust behaviors that holders of negative prejudice direct against […]

Frida Kahlo’s Experience of Discrimination

In America, everyone will experience discrimination in their lifetime, it's not a matter of when, but why. Discrimination, although diminished from previous decades, still holds strong in our societies present day. Frida Kahlo is famous for her self portraits which depicted her culture and female experience, and the ways they suffered. One of the first photos shown to us in this module was a painting of Frida herself, standing on a broken piece of land. It highlighted clues to many […]

Discrimination of the LGBTQ Community

Since the beginning of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community, it has been one of the most discriminated against groups in the world as they are denied the basic rights that most people get to enjoy. Today, it is still legal to discriminate someone based on their sexual orientation or gender identity in thirty states. The following pages will inform readers on discrimination of the LGBTQ community by the general public, in schools, and in the workplace. […]

Depiction of Discrimination in to Kill a Mockingbird

"Our generation has had no Great war, no Great Depression. Out war is spiritual. Our depression is our lives" (Chuck Palahniuk). Discrimination was most common in the 1930's and was performed by prejudice people against others. In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, discrimination is one of the main conflicts in the story. Till this day, people still face discrimination and injustice. Throughout the novel, sexism, classism, and racism are prominent in the lives of the characters. […]

Madisonian Democracy

Madisonian Democracy was based on the idea that human are self interested. Factions would be form due to common interest. There would be fragmented power to avoid the tyranny of majority and minority power. The point of the Civil Rights Movement was to have minority fight against tyranny of the majority, and they wanting their basic rights. With their hard effort they were able to pass the Civil Rights Act. They did use Madisonian Democracy but it fail. This was […]

Discrimination against Women in the Workplace

Various studies report that inequality still persists despite women making great milestones in the place of work (Bach, 2018). A recent survey conducted by Social Institutions and Gender Index (2018) shows that women discrimination in the United States is much higher when compared to discrimination against women in Australia, Colombia, regions of Eastern Europe, and Western Europe (Bach, 2018). The report by Social Institutions and Gender Index also highlighted the existing gender compensation differences in US, as well as the […]

Gender Discrimination Lawsuit against Nike

Abstract This article sets to expand on the recent discrimination lawsuit that has been brought against the Nike Corporation. Former female employees in leadership roles have filed a complaint against Nike citing pay disparities and an unfavorable work environment. Claims of gender disparity and unfavorable work environment floods the Nike Corporation after alleged claims that the company discriminates against female employees. Findings suggests male employees are paid more than female employees of the company who hold the same position. Women […]

Society and Racial Discrimination

Racial Discrimination Our society has turned into a hatred and politics place throughout the years. Racial discrimination is into what America has grown up on. This issue has always existed because of fundamental part of America's history. From the KKK's aggressive campaign against immigrants, to the police violence against black people, racism and discrimination continue to be a big controversial problem. People need to take the responsibility of this culture to address racism and learn how to accept and embrace […]

Religious Discrimination Throughout Cultures and the Workplace

Religious discrimination refers to the treating of an individual unfairly because of his or her religious beliefs (Kerner). P. Smith (2017) defines religious discrimination as the adverse treatment of an individual who is either an employee or any other person considering the religious beliefs of the person rather than the merit of the employee. Additionally, religious discrimination can refer to the unjust, or the prejudicial treatment of a group of people or just an individual because of his or chosen […]

Gender Hierarchy of Power

There has been gender discrimination over the years in our societies by power. Most of the society has been structured in such a way the culture value one gender more than the other, and this is what has led to gender discrimination. In many societies, the gender hierarchy has brought unequal opportunities in power, and this has discriminated the female gender leading to the feminism in our societies. According to the Bechdel movies, it has explained the gender hierarchy in […]

Racial Discrimination in Justice System

Abstract It is essential to analyze the racial disparity in the criminal justice system because the criminal courts are important in society because, especially in making judgments, they are expected to bring equal opportunities for all people. It must ensure that, despite the political statuses and other backgrounds of the individuals, every person in the country follows the rule of law and order. When making important judgments, they should not have the bias of allowing any favor. The manner in […]

The Discrimination of Women in Society

The unequal treatment of individuals based on their gender is a deeply rooted problem in most societies, even our own. Discrimination of women in health, education, and politics has consequences for the development of their lives and their freedom of choice. A country’s culture directly impact how gender equality is exercised as a basic human right. The first step to finding suggestion and solutions for this global problem, is understanding what it is: “Gender equality is, first and foremost, a […]

The is Immigration Discrimination

Immigration has always been a problem, Native Americans used to call it 'white people'. Some scientists consider human came to America for the first time about 20,000 years ago over the Bering Straits ( The Statue of Liberty- Ellis Island Foundation). These people were the Native American ancestors, who would populate the landscape for thousands of years. Around the year 1000, a small number of Vikings arrived and five hundred years later, the great European migration began. Crossing the Atlantic […]

How To Write an Essay About Discrimination

Understanding the concept of discrimination.

Before you begin writing an essay about discrimination, it's crucial to understand its definition and the various forms it can take. Discrimination is the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of race, age, sex, or disability. Start your essay by defining discrimination and differentiating it from prejudice and bigotry. Explore the different types of discrimination, such as racial, gender, age, religious, and disability discrimination. Understanding these variations is important to provide a comprehensive view of the topic in your essay.

Developing a Focused Thesis Statement

A strong, focused thesis statement is essential for an effective essay on discrimination. This statement should present a specific angle or argument about discrimination. For example, you might choose to write about the impact of discrimination in the workplace, the role of systemic discrimination in society, or strategies to combat discrimination. Your thesis will guide the direction of your essay and ensure that your analysis is structured and coherent.

Gathering Supporting Evidence

An essay about discrimination should be supported by relevant facts, data, and examples. This might include statistical evidence, case studies, historical examples, or current events. For instance, if you are discussing racial discrimination, you might include recent incidents that have gained public attention or historical legislation that has contributed to systemic racism. Use this evidence to support your thesis and strengthen your arguments.

Analyzing Causes and Effects

Dedicate a section of your essay to analyzing the causes and effects of discrimination. Discuss various factors that lead to discriminatory practices, such as stereotypes, ignorance, and societal norms. Explore the impact of discrimination on individuals, communities, and society as a whole. For instance, consider how workplace discrimination can affect employee morale and productivity. This analysis will help readers understand the complexities of discrimination.

Proposing Solutions and Conclusions

Towards the end of your essay, discuss potential solutions to address discrimination. This could include policy changes, educational programs, or grassroots initiatives. Highlight initiatives that have been successful in combating discrimination and suggest areas where more work is needed. Conclude your essay by summarizing the key points discussed, restating the importance of addressing discrimination, and encouraging further research or action.

Final Review and Editing

After completing your essay, it's important to review and edit your work. Ensure that your arguments are clear and supported by evidence. Check for grammatical errors and ensure that your essay flows logically. It might also be helpful to get feedback from others, perhaps classmates or a teacher, who can provide a fresh perspective. A well-polished essay will communicate your ideas more effectively and demonstrate your understanding of discrimination and its impacts.

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Discrimination Essay | Essay on Discrimination for Students and Children in English

February 13, 2024 by Prasanna

Discrimination Essay: According to the Oxford dictionary, discrimination is the practice of treating an individual or a particular group in society unfairly than others based on age, race, sex, religion, finance, etc.

Throughout history, we have seen discrimination tainting every society and nation. This essay examines and analyses the causes and effects of discrimination in various forms on an individual, society, or nation.

You can also find more Essay Writing articles on events, persons, sports, technology and many more.

Long and Short Essays on Discrimination for Students and Kids in English

We provide children and students with essay samples on a long essay of 500 words and a short essay of 150 words on the topic “Discrimination” for reference.

Long Essay on Discrimination 500 Words in English

Long Essay on Discrimination is usually given to classes 7, 8, 9, and 10.

Our world has always been parted into two groups: victims of discrimination and those who discriminate against the former. The definition of discrimination denies opportunity or equal rights to a specific group of people that may be differentiated based on their religion, skin colour, or gender.

However, discrimination could be confused with prejudice and stereotype. Stereotypes are mental images we have on a particular group of people because of their religion, culture, or gender. Prejudice stems from stereotypes. It’s the act of judging by popular stereotypes.

Discrimination Is a mix of both with the addition of oppression and unfair treatment towards the deemed ‘inferior’ group or individual. Keep in mind that prejudice is a result of attitude, and discrimination results from an action.

Human history is saturated with acts of discrimination. It takes different forms, and modern society is not an exception. It is at the stake of cultural history and has influenced many social, cultural, and economic occurrences that we see today.

One of the most common forms being discrimination based on the financial background of an individual. The world is divided. The oppressive rich and powerful one’s greed to earn more and frowns upon the one who doesn’t have it all while the poor struggles to survive.

When we come across racial discrimination or racism, globally, we see acts of violence and unfair treatment done against people of colour, usually against people who aren’t Caucasian or commonly termed ‘white’ in appearance.

You can now access more Essay Writing on this topic and many more.

This form of oppression started when European countries started colonizing lands outside Europe in the 1600s and claiming them to be superior. Sadly, racism is still prevalent in the modern world, where a person’s ethnicity derives them from equal rights and opportunities.

In the history of humanity, we have come across several gruesome acts of discrimination. One of them being the mass genocide of Jews living in Europe, led by the Nazis and their leader Hitler, during the 2nd world war. We still see acts of systemic racism in countries all across the group.

Sexism has also been a significant issue over the centuries. Women face discrimination and double standards in their homes and their workplaces. Here we see women being oppressed, abused, and mistreated by men. Sexism resides in every society worldwide, blocking women from attaining every other right that a man gets to enjoy.

We also see people getting discriminated against for their sexual orientation. Homophobia and transphobia are what every queer has to go through living in today’s society. They get judged, oppressed, threatened, and even illegalized just for being who they are.

Another form of discrimination that’s primarily affecting the world today is discrimination based on religion. Today’s world is so divided that one wrong act from a community will form a lousy rep around the group.

A country like India, which is constitutionally secular, is now fragmented because of fights struck against religious minorities. In America, after the 9/11 massacre struck, people developed this strange stereotype and hatred towards people who follow Islam, also known as Islamophobia.

To sum it up, discrimination forms a menace to society and the person who has to face such an adverse treatment as it is a straight denial of the equal worth of the victim. It is a violation of an individual’s identity.

Short Essay on Discrimination 150 Words in English

Short Essay on Discrimination is usually given to classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Discrimination is as common and abundant as corruption in politics and pollution in the air. Every type of discrimination implicates the superiority of a specific group of people over another group of people.

In today’s world, we see several forms of discrimination: gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, age, education, finance, workplace hierarchy, disabilities, etc. All of these arises from prolonged superiority complex, ignorance, and indifference to people’s identity.

The world we live in now faces significant issues like racism, sexism, homophobia, and Islamophobia. All these issues pile up to build a society filled with injustice, inequality, and in general toxic.

We study all the gruesome and bloody acts and events that have stained humankind all because of discrimination in history. Nowadays, these acts of discrimination are getting recognized and being called out, but it’s far from getting eradicated.

The government should form laws to avoid it; parents and schools should educate children on equality. The fight against discrimination is a long and hard one, but we have to continue fighting this social evil.

10 Lines on Discrimination Essay in English

1. Discrimination is an act when a person is treated unequally and differently. 2. Stereotype and prejudice are not discrimination. They are a part of the discrimination spectrum. 3. Particular forms of discrimination are also punishable by law. 4. Discrimination is of many types—racism, sexism, homophobia, etc. 5. Two anti-discrimination movements around the world are- ‘Me Too’ movement (a feminist movement / a protest against sexism) and the ‘Black Lives Matter’ Movement (protest against racism and systemic racism. 6. On 1st March every year, the Zero Discrimination Day is celebrated. 7. On 1st March 2014, The United Nations, along with UNAIDS, celebrated this day for the first time. 8. This day generally focuses on no discrimination despite having different gender, sex, ethnicity, and physical disability. 9. Any form of discrimination violates human rights. 10. Acts of discrimination are deeply rooted in our society, and we have to get rid of it.

FAQ’s on Discrimination Essay

Question 1. What is Discrimination?

Answer: Discrimination is an act of making unjustified distinctions between people based on the groups, classes, or other categories to which they belong.

Question 2. What are the four main types of discrimination?

Answer: There are four main types of discrimination– direct discrimination and indirect discrimination, harassment, and victimization.

Question 3. What is the cause of discrimination?

Answer: All forms of discrimination are prejudice based on identity concepts and the need to identify with a certain group. This can lead to division, hatred, and even the dehumanization of other people because they have different identities.

Question 4. What kind of discrimination is illegal?

Answer: Employers can’t discriminate based on race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age (40 and older), disability, or national origin.

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Home — Essay Samples — Social Issues — Discrimination and Prejudice — Discrimination

Essays on Discrimination

Discrimination is a pervasive issue that affects individuals and groups across various aspects of society. When writing an essay on discrimination, it's important to choose a topic that is not only relevant but also thought-provoking. The right topic can make your essay more engaging and relevant, while the wrong topic can make it feel stale and unoriginal. Here is a list of discrimination essay topics categorized by different aspects of discrimination.

When choosing a discrimination essay topic, consider your interests, personal experiences, and the current social and political climate. It is essential to select a topic that is relevant and meaningful to you, as it will make the writing process more enjoyable and authentic. Additionally, think about the audience you are writing for and aim to select a topic that will engage and educate them.

List of Discrimination Essay Topics

Racial discrimination.

The impact of racial profiling on minority communities
The role of media in perpetuating racial stereotypes
Exploring the concept of white privilege
Racial discrimination in the workplace
Colorism within communities of color

Gender Discrimination

The effects of gender discrimination on women's mental health
The gender pay gap and its implications
The portrayal of gender in the media
Challenges faced by transgender individuals in society
The intersectionality of gender and race in discrimination

Sexual Orientation Discrimination

The impact of conversion therapy on LGBTQ+ individuals
Discrimination against same-sex couples in adoption and parenting
Homophobia and transphobia in sports
The portrayal of LGBTQ+ individuals in popular culture
The impact of religious beliefs on LGBTQ+ discrimination

Disability Discrimination

Accessibility challenges faced by individuals with disabilities
The stigmatization of mental health conditions
The portrayal of disabilities in the media
The impact of ableism in the workplace
The intersectionality of race and disability in discrimination

Age Discrimination

The discrimination faced by older adults in the workforce
The portrayal of aging in popular culture
Ageism in healthcare and medical treatment
The impact of age discrimination on mental health
Challenges faced by young individuals in a society focused on age

Writing about discrimination is an important task, as it helps raise awareness of various forms of discrimination and promotes understanding and equality. The topic you choose can help you address specific issues and explore different perspectives, making your essay more impactful and thought-provoking. Therefore, it is crucial to select a topic that resonates with you and has the potential to spark meaningful discussions.

These are just a few examples of discrimination essay topics to consider. When choosing a topic, remember to research and gather information from reputable sources to support your arguments. By selecting a compelling and relevant topic, you can create an impactful and thought-provoking essay that contributes to the ongoing dialogue on discrimination.

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The History of Discrimination in America

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The Discrimination and Bigotry Faced by The Lgbtq Society

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Gender and Racial Discrimination on Example of "Hidden Figures" & "The Hate U Give"

The problem of hatred, racism, and discrimination in america, the root of racial discrimination in society, modern examples of discrimination and possible solutions, gender discrimination in society and its possible solutions, analysis of the problems faced by intersectional people, racism in the united states of america, rosa parks' fight for women's rights and social justice, the problem of women sexism in advertising, the role of stereotypes, racism, and hate nowadays, police brutality and partiality toward african americans, racial tendencies existing in our world and their impact on minorities, example of discrimsnation in the hate u give, gender and race based income inequality and its impacts on people, oppression of minorities in modern society, fight against affirmative action: pros and cons, the rising issue of discrimination against asian american, gender prejudice and discrimination in workplace, the discrimination of asian american on the government level, racial profiling: it’s not in the past.

Discrimination is the intended or accomplished differential treatment of persons or social groups for reasons of certain generalized traits.

People may be discriminated on the basis of age, caste, disability, language, name, nationality, race or ethnicity, region, religious beliefs, sex, sex characteristics, gender, and gender identity, sexual orientation. There is also reverse discrimination, which is a discrimination against members of a dominant or majority group, in favor of members of a minority or historically disadvantaged group.

Racism, sexism, anti-Semitism, homophobia, transphobia, or cissexism (discrimination against transgender persons), classism (discrimination based on social class), lookism (discrimination based on physical appearance), and ableism (discrimination based on disability).

Nearly half (45%) of African Americans experienced racial discrimination when trying to rent an apartment or buy a home. Nearly 1 in 5 Latinos have avoided medical care due to concern of being discriminated against or treated poorly. 34% of LGBTQ Americans say they that they or a friend have been verbally harassed while using the restroom. 41% of women report being discriminated against in equal pay and promotion opportunities.

Relevant topics

Racial Profiling
Gun Violence
Police Brutality
Gun Control
Human Trafficking
Illegal Immigration
Women's Rights
Civil Disobedience

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Discrimination Causes, Effects and Types Essay

Introduction, causes of discrimination, effects of discrimination, types of discrimination, history of discrimination, how to regulate and control discrimination.

Discrimination is one of the most common social evils in modern society. Kahane and Shmanske (2012, p. 65) define discrimination as “the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex.” It is a perception that a certain group of people is inferior because of characteristics that make them different from the other groups. As shown in the above definition, discrimination is unjust because it involves classifying a given group of people based on characteristics that make them look unfit to be part of the rest of the group. It only focuses on prejudicial weaknesses and ignores the strengths of that group. For instance, gender discrimination is often based on the fact that women are physically weak compared with men.

However, what society forgets is that there are so many women who are physically stronger than men. We also ignore the intellectual and emotional power that women have over men. According to Nachmani (2010), discrimination is common in all parts of the world. In any environment where there is diversity, different forms of discrimination are often common. It may be on the basis of age, sex, race, religion, social practices, or academic qualification. Even in an environment where people share a lot in common, trivial issues such as height, weight, and level of attractiveness, among others, are often used to classify people as being either superior or inferior to the rest of the group. Discrimination is the biggest threat to effective integration within the community. In this paper, the researcher seeks to determine the causes, effects, and types of discrimination and give suggestions on how to address this problem.

According to Kahane and Shmanske (2012), discrimination is primarily caused by an inferiority complex that some people often have. It is the feeling that one is inadequate and hence wants to convince sent that there are others who are worse than them. Such people would pick characteristics in other people that make them look inferior. As Bryan (2010) says, as human beings, there are so many things that make us common than those that make us different. At a tender age, children get to interact without understanding that they are different in any way. Factors such as skin color, religion, and social class, among other things, make no sense to these children at that tender age because of the purity of their hearts. However, the moment the sense of belonging and the desire to be seen as the best set in, people start to look at diversity from a completely different angle. They start looking at diversity as a factor that should make one group superior to the other. Another major cause of discrimination is greed. The desire to have the best at the expense of the rest has forced humankind to come up with ways of making that possible. Through discrimination, they are able to justify why they can have the best while the rest do not.

In the United States, the best schools, hospitals, and social amenities were meant for the Whites. In the past, most of the countries in the Arab World, such as the United Arab Emirates did not allow women to work. This is a deliberate strategy to ensure that a section of the society is denied what is important to them simply because they are different. In the modern society, politics is seen as a major cause of discrimination. Sometimes politicians use discrimination to help them identify with the majority as a way of getting acceptance. In the recently closed presidential elections in the United States, Donald Trump identified with the Whites who are the majority in the country. He made them feel more entitled to the country than African Americans or other immigrants. It was not shocking that through that immoral strategy, he was able to win the election. He was able to appeal to the society that has historically embraced discrimination even after the country’s forefathers promised unity.

According to Portilla (2016), discrimination is one of the most dangerous social evils that are affecting many societies across the world. Currently, the entire region of Middle East is struggling with the problem of ISIS because of discrimination. It is because a section of the society feels that they are special and therefore deserve the best while others get less. For people to form a group that causes death and terror to others, the only possible reason is that they feel left out in the systems and structures within the society. Discrimination creates a scenario where a section of the society feels that they lack the sense of belonging. They feel hated and looked down upon by the rest of the society. In returning the hate to the same society, they organize themselves into groups whose primary goal is to cause terror, pain, and suffering to those they believe are hurting them. Bryan (2010) explains that discrimination creates disunity. It creates an environment where people cannot speak with one voice. They cannot work as a unit to achieve a common goal. Without such unity, it is almost impossible for people to join hands to achieve a common goal. According to Nachmani (2010), discrimination tends to create weaknesses in a section of the society.

When one is brought up believing that he or she is weak because of the socio-cultural or natural characteristics, then one is likely to believe that it is the truth. As such, the discriminated may fail to work hard to create a better society. In the United Arab Emirates for instance, most of the women still believe that their place is at home with their family. As such, talented brains are wasted instead of being put into use in a way that may be beneficial to the community. A study by Portilla (2016) found out that discrimination is one of the primary reasons why some people act against their own states either as spies or terrorists. The sense of nationalism disappears when one feels that the society sees them as less deserving. They develop a desire to punish the state because of the rejection.

Discrimination may be exhibited in different ways. The most common type is the gender discrimination. This is the prejudicial belief that men are better than women within a social setting. It is the belief that men deserve to be treated with more respect than women. This is a common problem almost in every part of the world. In the United Arab Emirates and its neighboring countries, leadership is in the tight grip of men. In the corporate world, men are dominant over women not because women cannot be successful but because they are discriminated against by the society. In the mosques, women are not expected to lead as Imams because the society believes such an important role can only be held by a man. Gender discrimination is not just common in this country. The United States has never elected a female president for the last 240 years that it has been an independent state (Weil, Lentz, & Evans, 2016). The same is the case in Russia, China, and Japan. Racial discrimination is another big problem, especially in the United States.

The perception that Whites are superior to other races has caused many social injustices since the country gained independence. The problem is common in the global society. Religious difference is a form of discrimination that has been persistent for the last several years. It has been difficult to create a unified society where people from different faiths can believe that they belong together and should be committed to working towards a common societal goal. Discrimination on the ground of one’s social status is one of the forms of segregation that has existed for centuries. In the past, caste system was common in many kingdoms. Civilization was believed to be a tool that would help solve this problem. However, that has not been the case. Social status remains one of the most common factors that classify people into different group. The rich has a class of their own that guarantees them the best in the society at the expense of the poor. Age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, and nature of one’s career are the other common types of discrimination.

Discrimination can be traced back to the origin of mankind as told in most of the history and religious books. Both the bible and Quran clearly state that Man was created first and given authority over everything (Ñopo, Chong, & Moro, 2010). Woman was created from one of the ribs of a man and was given the primary responsibility of being an assistant to man. From those olden days, women were viewed as being inferior to men and expected to be their subordinates at all time. During civilization, kingdoms fought for power and control. People from powerful kingdom would attack the weaker kingdoms and take slaves. The emergence of the social classes during the civilization period entrenched the vice of discrimination. Slaves were viewed as people who lacked entitlement even to their own life. A slave owner could do anything to his or her slaves as the society considered it normal. The Egyptian Empire, Roman Empire, Greek Empire, the Han Empire, and many other great kingdoms entrenched discrimination through social class systems.

During the industrial revolution, discrimination became a perfect tool for the rich and powerful to amass more wealth and power. The societal forces gave them a blessing to use their power to use the weak and poor for their own selfish gains. In Australia, for instance, the aboriginals were regarded as inferior to the White immigrants simply because they lacked Western education and that they were Blacks. In the Arab world, the idea that women are supposed to be subordinate to men never changed. In the modern world, discrimination is still common. A study by Bryan (2010) found out that most companies in the United Arab Emirates prefer hiring locals than expatriates. That in itself is a form of discrimination. In the United States, White police officers have killed so many African Americans because they are believed to be dangerous. Although things have improved, the problem still exists.

It is the responsibility of every member of the society to fight discrimination from any angle possible. Various stakeholders in various capacities have different roles in this fight against discrimination. The government should come up with laws and regulations that criminalized discrimination in the workplace. Laws should also be enacted that prohibits any form of discrimination in social setting on the basis of race, religion, gender, and marital status among others. Firms should be subjected to a new regulation that requires them to monitor and combat any form of discrimination in the society. Companies that fail to adhere to these regulatory procedures should be subject to fines.

The managers should be informed that they may risk jail terms if they aid, abet, or ignore discrimination at their institutions. Members of the public should also understand that they have a role to play in controlling or completely eradicating discrimination. People should appreciate and embrace diversity as something that empowers the society. Diversity makes it possible for people to take advantage of their varying skills, strengths, and knowledge to help achieve a common goal. The society must appreciate that one’s weaknesses can be addressed by strengths of the other and that can only happen if we embrace integration, not discrimination. Skin color, religion, age, sex, or social status should not be the grounds for discrimination. Everyone should develop a burden of working towards a united society.

Bryan, W. V. (2010). Sociopolitical aspects of disabilities: The social perspectives and political history of disabilities and rehabilitation in the United States . Springfield, MA: Charles C Thomas Publisher.

Kahane, H., & Shmanske, S. (2012). The Oxford handbook of sports economics . Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.

Nachmani, A. (2010). Europe and its Muslim minorities: Aspects of conflict, attempts at accord . Brighton, UK: Sussex Academic.

Ñopo, H., Chong, A., & Moro, A. (2010). Discrimination in Latin America: An economic perspective . Washington, DC: Inter-American Development Bank.

Portilla, K. (2016). Redressing everyday discrimination: The weakness and potential of antidiscrimination law. New York, NY: Cengage.

Weil, L., Lentz, G., & Evans, A. (2016). Litigation services handbook: The role of the financial expert . Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

Modern City and Human Society Evolution
Direct, Intentional, Institutional Discrimination
From the Fall of the Holy Roman Empire to Feudalism
Socrates as an Inferior Person in Comedy Poetics
The Atlantic Slave Trade: Causes, Operation, and Effects
Jaycee Dugard's Kidnapping in Sociological View
Social Changes in Human Relationships and Interactions
Morality, Faith, and Dignity in Modern Youth
Social Stratification and Its Principals
Strong Individualism and Its Benefits to Society
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