Discrimination

Introduction

Discrimination is the unjust treatment of certain categories of people. This can be based on a group, class or a certain category that they may be perceived to belong. Characteristics of these groups include race, age, gender or sexual orientation. Discrimination could also be experienced in terms of nationality, employment, housing, political views, and disability among others.

According to the National Academic Press (2004), discrimination is an origin of fear and misunderstanding. It involves more than direct behavior towards a person whereby a person may be denied employment or a housing opportunity. It can come in the form of being isolated and avoided, verbal and non-verbal hostility, physical attack and being avoided by a certain group of people or races. All these types of discrimination can lead to an environment that is not hospitable. Discrimination causes members of disadvantaged groups to be isolated and could also lead to lower positions in the workplace regardless of their level of education leading to low wages for them. Isolation could lead to a lack of resources for the disadvantaged groups, for example, lack of equal education, healthcare, and housing opportunities. Avoiding another person because of their race, gender or any other characteristic can lead to problems in the social networks, for example, getting employment opportunities or getting a promotion.

HG Legal Resources (2020), states that discrimination in the workplace is based on different factors which include, age, disability, and gender. In terms of age, it occurs when employees are treated unfairly because of their age. The older employees tend to be given priorities in some companies even when it comes to job applications due to their experience. In some companies, older employees are fired to replace them with younger employees. Disabled employees experience discrimination when they are treated badly by their co-workers, managers or supervisors. Not everyone is willing to accommodate the disabled or even work with them because of their special needs and this leads to them being isolated. In terms of gender, discrimination is experienced when people of the female gender are treated differently from the male gender. Women tend to be given low position jobs while the men get the top positions. Women get lower pay compared to men even when the woman has a high level of education than the man. When women get pregnant, they are discriminated against because of their condition and sometimes get fired.

 According to HG Legal Resources (2020), national origin discrimination in the workplace could be experienced if the person has a different accent, appearance, and culture. They may be victims of low wages, lack of promotion, job assignments, and sometimes they will not get employment opportunities. Religious discrimination occurs when someone is treated unfairly because of their beliefs and faith. For example, a Muslim may be discriminated against for wearing a headscarf in the workplace.  Another one is when a company’s rules require people to dress in a certain way meaning they cannot wear anything regarded as part of their beliefs. Verbal attacks against someone’s religion or their dressing is a type of physical attack discrimination. This type occurs when people talk about you because they dislike you, your nationality or your religion.

Conclusion

Discrimination is the unfair treatment of people and different positions. It has a big impact on people and can make them develop low self-esteem or even health problems. Discrimination makes people feel out of place and cannot even give your opinion on anything. It leads to loneliness due to isolation.

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