What is discrimination? Examples of racial, gender, religious discrimination

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:47

Discrimination is a term derived from the Latin discriminatio, which translates as "infringement". It is defined as a negative attitude, infringement and restriction of rights, as well as violence and any manifestation of hostility towards the subject due to his belonging to a particular social group. Some species are widely known and have their own terminology. For example, racism is racial discrimination, sexism is gender discrimination. Examples of these and other manifestations of infringement of human rights by belonging to a social group will be considered in the article below.

Gender Discrimination

Gender discrimination is a restriction of rights and freedoms based on gender. As noted earlier, this species has its own name. Its name is sexism.

There is a reason why gender discrimination, of which there are countless examples, comes first - its prevalence. Sexism occurs in a wide variety of areas of human life andtakes many forms and degrees, from petty prejudice to active hatred.

Shapes of discrimination

The following types exist:

• direct discrimination;
• indirect discrimination.

Examples for the first case - a clear infringement of rights. This can be denial of employment, education, humiliation and insults.

The second case demonstrates hidden sexism. Examples include, among other things, gender segregation (unequal distribution of the number of men and women in the professional sphere, restraint of career growth), silence on gender issues in society. It should be noted that all the above examples of discrimination against women, and not men, as much more widespread practice, although gender discrimination does not include such limits in its definition. The anti-sexist movement is a feminist movement that promotes gender equality.

Racial discrimination

Racism, unfortunately, is also a very well-known phenomenon. It is defined as discrimination based on race. This type has deep roots: giving examples of racial discrimination, the enumeration can begin not with the modern practice of hostility, but legal segregation in South America in the 50s, when there was a clear separation of public places for the white and black population, the false compromise of the latter, etc. For example, African Americans were often accused of crimes they did not commit.

Needless to say, in this official state of affairsthe public attitude of the European race towards the Negroid was no better. But in the US, not only this race has been discriminated against. Examples again from history: racism towards the indigenous population of America, the Indians.

Nazi Germany

The clearest example of racial discrimination is the policy of the Third Reich, for which it has become not just a part, but an entire ideology. The superiority of one (in this case, the Aryan) race over others, and in particular the oppression of the rest, was a common practice in Nazi Germany. And it was a dark time in human history.

Modern times

But, unfortunately, racism is not just an example of discrimination against a person from the distant past, it is something that exists in the modern world. Despite the fact that this phenomenon is being fought (racial segregation in South Africa, which existed until recently, has finally stopped), none of the civilized countries can boast of its complete absence.

Skinheads

The skinhead movement is one of the manifestations of modern racism. Although this culture was originally not based on national prejudices, but was based on the usual groups of British laborers, it has now acquired characteristic features. Among them are extreme nationalism, and male chauvinism, and a tendency to violence as a solution to problems.

Many skinheads are hostile to foreigners. This is especially true for those who at all timesor otherwise were persecuted: the Negroid race, the Jews. But the global problem of racism is not only in skinheads, but in the fact that most of the population tacitly supports them. Racist jokes are jokes, but as you know, there is some truth in every joke.

Religious discrimination

Religious discrimination is more commonly referred to as intolerance towards other beliefs. This definition comes from the fact that it is the refusal to tolerate other people's religious beliefs that is called this term. If representatives of any faith claim that their system is correct, this is not considered religious discrimination.

Features

The main feature of religious discrimination is that sometimes it has not a purely religious background, but hidden social and political motives.

Modern legal provisions

Under the laws of many countries, there is an official ban on taking part in manifestations of acts of religious intolerance.

The constitutions of other countries, which do not explicitly state about religion, have provisions prohibiting discrimination based on religious beliefs. However, the laws of some states also suggest that one belief is preferable to another.

Religious tolerance

There are countries that clearly support religious tolerance. They provide for a debate about the limits of tolerance.

The problem with setting these limits is that some laws prohibitingreligious discrimination are contrary to freedom of speech. That is why the texts of these laws usually include not only the behavior that is punished, but also its consequences. For example, in Australia, actions that incite hatred, show disrespect, and are a tool to ridicule the religious beliefs of other people are prohibited.

Discrimination at school

Examples of school discrimination come down to particular cases of manifestation of the above types.

Sexism here can be direct or indirect: when the girls were left on duty, and the boys were allowed to go home, this is the first case. There is, however, reverse gender discrimination. Examples are the restriction of the rights of boys and the preferential treatment of girls.

When a teacher lowers the grades of one or another part of the class (depending on gender) - this is a case of indirect sexism. Dealing with such a problem is more difficult, because this type is closely related to the silence of issues of discrimination. Clashes between a teacher and a child on the basis of religious beliefs can occur because of the official beliefs in the state. Then school activities are likely to be designed for the religion of the majority of the population, and hence the students.

Discrimination in Russia

Sad to admit it, but the level of tolerance and tolerance in Russia is far from ideal. Racism in Russia is especially noticeable. Examples of discrimination in Russia: a widespread problem - people from the Caucasus are detained for identity checks much more often than Russians. In addition, police officers do not hesitate to be rude and derogatory towards such persons.

Gender discrimination is also reaching a high level in the Russian Federation. Examples:

• women always have a harder time finding jobs;
• salary in the same positions for men and women has significant differences.

Protection of women in Russia is mostly "cabinet". It is noteworthy that the Constitution of the Russian Federation states that both genders should have and have equal rights in society. But the stereotypical thinking of citizens makes it difficult to elevate this to the realities of life. A male employee is always valued more, and a woman with her possible pregnancy and, as a result, a decree by the employer is perceived as an extra headache. All these are remnants of ingrained wrong beliefs. Any discrimination is born in the head: as a thought, as a principle, and only then - as an action.