Discrimination: Unfair Distinction Based on Group or Class - Essay Sample

Introduction

Discrimination can be termed as the act of creating an unfair distinction based on a group or class in which they are thought to belong. It can occur in two scenarios; prejudicial or justified depending on the situation or the factors prompting the l (Mary and Benard 29). There are various causes of discrimination, which may include the following: gender, gender expression, criminal record, disability, generation, marital status, nationality, social class, race, religion, sexual orientation, height, and genetic characteristics, among others. It involves the perception and treatment of other individuals who appear different and are mostly negative. Discrimination includes the initial individual reaction to another that is not like them in a given category, which goes on to influence their actual behavior towards the individual in that group or the group as a whole. The actual actions can include cases where the individual is restricted from accessing opportunities or privileges (Boutwell 15). The individuals as thus barred based on illogical decision making. Discriminatory policies and traditions are in existence in many countries, even in areas where discrimination is looked down upon like America. Discrimination has negative impact on the peaceful coexistence among people living in a certain society. One of the categories of discrimination is racism. It refers to the belief that humans have a different behavioral characteristic that corresponds to physical appearance and is often categorized into the superiority of one race over another (Frazier 17).

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Statement of the Problem

Discrimination refers to a state where there an unfair treatment of individuals or a particular group of individuals because they do not look the same as the person practicing the act and may be based on factors such as race, gender, sexual orientation, or age among others. Most people put things into categories to derive sense from the world (American Psychological Association). Even young children develop this kind of assessment on the environment they live in. For example, young children can differentiate the gender of the people around them through classification can know that their friends or siblings are either boys or girls. However, in most cases, the value that is attached to these categories is learned from the environments that the children live in.

Impacts of Discrimination

Discrimination affects people in many ways. Bias can result in poor health, substandard housing, and decreased access to higher education opportunities for a given class, an overrepresentation of a particular group, high unemployment for groups perceived to be inferior, low wages, and fewer medical health services to the races discriminated against. The impact of these effects is felt in varying magnitudes depending on the immediate environment of a person, such as where they work, learn, and worship among others. In the nonwhite communities, discrimination is at its best in America, and in most cases, these people lack the necessary resources and are thus affected more.

Several mental and physical health effects are associated with discrimination. It can lead to conditions such as increased stress and depression, cardiovascular diseases, and in some critical cases, mortality. Prejudicial anticipation in n itself can trigger cardiovascular stress responses. Discrimination also impacts on the general lifestyle of the individuals being discriminated against. Chronic stress from discrimination can lead to several health problems, including anxiety and substance abuse. It is stressful being a member of a group that is most frequently being discriminated against (American Psychological Association). The anticipation that results from the act in itself can play a significant part in the development of chronic stress. Some people might go to the extent of avoiding scenarios that have the potential to expose them to such cases. Some may even refuse opportunities such as jobs and educational maladies.

There are several ways in which discrimination, racism, and prejudice affect health. For instance, discrimination has the potential of deciding the kind of life that an individual has since it can affect life chances in places such as education, housing, and employment. Low social and economic status plays a significant role in the health status of the people (Williams, David and Brigette 110). It has an impact on the kind of healthcare services that the minority group receives. Discrimination also leads to differences in access to medical facilities as well as the quality of the healthcare service (Bulatao). The experience of discrimination has the potential to stimulate psychic distress, which can lead to changes in physiological processes, which is highly detrimental to health (Bulatao). The people coming from these areas with the harsh psychological environment may give in to abuse of drugs and excessive consumption of alcohol, which also impair mental functioning.

Statement of Policy

The American community should come out and change the attitudes, prejudices, and stereotypes regarding discrimination; they should train all members from the young children to the old on the detrimental effects on the health and other spheres of life of the people being discriminated against.

Existing Measures and Policies

There are various ways through which the US government is aiming to fight the menace of discrimination. One such method is through the promotion of an inclusive education system to expand opportunities to all Americans regardless of their race or ethnicity (Armstrong, Derrick and Len 16). The ideology behind this is that with equal chances at school, there is a corresponding response in the life chances that an individual has since most Americans depend on education to determine their professionalism and get a chance in the job market. The policy is aimed to provide quality education to all the people within the community, which has the potential to build the country and achieve higher growth. This ideology takes note of the notion that educational outcomes vary from city to city and are dependent on whether everyone gets the same share to have equal shares in life chances are provided by education (Kirby 17). The policy goes ahead to support disadvantaged students, addressing the issue of quality teachers and spatial segregation in education. Also, it recognizes that the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) play an essential role in shaping the academic life of students (UNESDOC). There is also an investment in lifelong learning expertise and skill development while acknowledging that individuals with low skills face significant labor market barriers due to the rapid technological and digital changes. Thus they are likely to be left behind. The policy should, therefore, focus on giving adults too with the relevant knowledge to keep them in line with the dynamic tech world.

Some policies aim to promote and inclusive labor market where people from all different backgrounds have equal access to employment opportunities. There is thus promotion of a cross-cutting approach to enhance the labor market to be suitable to all individuals (Borowczyk-Martins, Jake and Linas 110). It is achievable through matching people to jobs in a relatively better manner, thus a better use of the existing skillset such as engagement in the use of technology for the production process and employees investing in the skills of their staff (UNESDOC). Besides, the policies can work to come up with targeted strategies for vulnerable populations that require support so that they can be integrated into the job market.

Another policy is to build more inclusive urban environments. Such a setting is thought to provide quality and affordable housing with healthy neighborhoods for the whole population. This policy suggests that there is a need to build a comprehensive strategy that will boost the affordability of housing (Brown 22). Also, these policies should develop plans for the quality of life and livability and well-being in the urban areas that are mostly characterized by relatively high levels of social segregation (UNESDOC). There should also be link planning for housing and transport infrastructure to create quality housing, economic opportunities, and other primary public services (Tighe, Rosie and Joseph 10). All the stakeholders are to be involved in the planning and investment in the infrastructure. The housing infrastructure should be coordinated and integrated, along with healthcare infrastructure and services.

Reasons for Failure of the Strategies

There have been landmarks of legislation in America with polices being outlined meticulously and comprehensively, as stated above. However, there is a lot that has remained unchanged. While there is the aspect of victories won through the approval of these laws and legislations, racism still exists in America. At the signing of these laws and policies, there was a celebration that the minorities have finally won and are therefore living in a changing world. However, the signing and writing down of these polices created false victory because the laws and policies need implementation and actualization, which is still missing. Another challenge that these policies have failed to address is dealing with past gains from discrimination (Kendi). As these policies are being enforced, new forms of discrimination spring up.

Recommendations and Solutions

Policies and legislation that have been put in place have failed to put an end to discrimination in America entirely. Thus there is a need to come up with better strategies. There are some measures that are likely to present a better outcome. The proposals aim to make use of the advancement in the general attitudes and perceptions to boost the legislations and policies. One such area, to begin with, is in the training of young children from a tender age. People indeed learn to make distinctions, but the value determines the value that they attach to the different groups that their immediate setting attaches to the different groups. Thus, with the right teaching and training, the next generation can be made free of discrimination.

The present generation can start by working on themselves. After which they move on to the children and to influence other societies. The first step is assessing which group an individual falls in then work on him or herself while learning to cope (American Psychological Association). One should take great care of oneself as it is the first and critical step because survival is not just crucial for the single individual; it is an act of a revolution. After this, one then learns to embrace their beauty and strength. There are various ways through which this can be achieved, and thus one celebrates their identity without shame or fear of the existing prejudices and stereotypes

Conclusion

The individual should then focus on their strength and seek support systems. When an individual focuses on themselves and building themselves, they generate new values and stronger sense the power that lies within, which can motivate them to work harder and succeed. With self-growth, one is able to deal with bias presented to them without facing considerable stress (American Psychological Association). In most cases, when an individual has been discriminated against, they can internalize even false discrimination, and one ends up believing that they are not good enough. When one interacts with family and friends, they develop a sense of belonging, and they are reminded of their worth in society and the inner drive is rejuvenated (Stokes). Also, through the support system, one gets an audience to listen to their experiences of discrimination as well as to compare notes with the experiences of others.