What Are the Main Types and Examples of Discrimination?
Discrimination meaning is an essential Civics and Social Science topic for school exams, competitive tests, and daily life awareness. Discrimination refers to treating someone unfairly or differently because of their identity, beliefs, or background. Understanding this concept helps students recognize unfair practices, answer exam questions accurately, and become more responsible citizens.
| Type of Discrimination | Basis/Reason | Typical Example |
|---|---|---|
| Racial Discrimination | Skin color or ethnicity | Refusing entry due to race |
| Gender Discrimination | Male, female, or LGBTQ+ | Paying women less than men for the same job |
| Religious Discrimination | Religion or beliefs | Excluding someone for wearing religious symbols |
| Caste Discrimination | Caste or social group | Denial of access to temples or wells |
| Disability Discrimination | Physical or mental ability | No ramps for wheelchair users in schools |
| Age Discrimination | Young or old age | Denying jobs to older workers |
Discrimination Meaning
Discrimination means treating people unfairly or less favourably because of who they are, what they believe, or where they come from. It happens when someone's identity—such as race, religion, gender, caste, or disability—becomes the reason for unfair actions against them. For students, knowing discrimination meaning is key for Civics answers and exam readiness.
Types of Discrimination
- Racial discrimination—unfair treatment because of skin color or ethnic background.
- Gender discrimination—treating people unfairly based on their gender or identity.
- Religious discrimination—unfairness due to religious beliefs or practices.
- Caste discrimination—differential treatment based on caste or social status, common in India.
- Disability discrimination—excluding or disadvantaging people with disabilities.
- Age discrimination—unfairness towards someone only because of their age.
Examples of Discrimination
- Not selecting a qualified person for a job because of their religion or caste.
- Refusing to rent a house to someone from a different ethnicity.
- Boys allowed to play sports at school, but girls are told not to join.
- Mocking or bullying someone for using a wheelchair.
- Paying men more than women for equal work.
How Discrimination Affects Society
Discrimination leads to inequality, social tension, and division among groups. When people are treated unfairly, it creates anger and sadness. It slows down progress, increases poverty and conflicts, and prevents societies from growing together peacefully. Recognizing and reducing discrimination helps everyone feel valued and respected.
Ways to Address Discrimination
- Know and use your fundamental rights. These protect against discrimination by law.
- Speak up when you see unfair treatment in your school, community, or workplace.
- Practice equality and respect in daily life, treating everyone the same.
- Encourage others to stand against discrimination.
- Follow rules and laws, such as those in the Indian Constitution.
Discrimination Meaning in Different Languages
| Language | Word for Discrimination |
|---|---|
| Hindi | भेदभाव (Bhedbhaav) |
| Urdu | امتیاز (Imtiyaz) |
| Tamil | பாகுபாடு (Paagupaadu) |
| Bengali | বৈষম্য (Boishommō) |
| Telugu | వేడుక (Veduka) |
| Kannada | ಭೇದಭಾವ (Bhedabhava) |
Why Understanding Discrimination Meaning Matters for Students
Students often face questions like "What is discrimination?" or "Give examples of discrimination" in school and competitive exams (UPSC, SSC, state PSC). Knowing this concept helps in exam answers, understanding rights, and promoting equality in real life. At Vedantu, we simplify such important Social Science topics for effective learning and exam success.
Related Topics for Further Study
- Equality in Indian Democracy
- Rights and Fundamental Rights
- Understanding Marginalisation
- Social Stratification
- Gender, Religion, and Caste in Politics
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- Fundamental Duties
- What is Diversity?
- Indian Constitution
- Child Labour
In summary, discrimination meaning is about unfair treatment based on identity, beliefs, or background. Types include racial, gender, religious, caste, disability, and age discrimination. Recognizing discrimination is important for school, exams, and daily life. Vedantu provides clear explanations to ensure students understand and apply this knowledge for a just and equal society.
FAQs on Discrimination Meaning: Definition, Types, and Examples
1. What is discrimination in simple words?
Discrimination means treating someone unfairly because of who they are. This could be due to their race, gender, religion, age, or other personal characteristics. It involves actions that deny people equal opportunities or treatment.
2. Can you give an example of discrimination?
An example of discrimination is a company refusing to hire a qualified applicant because of their ethnicity. Other examples include: unequal pay for the same job based on gender; racial profiling by law enforcement; or bullying based on someone's sexual orientation. These actions create inequality and social injustice.
3. What is racial discrimination?
Racial discrimination is treating someone unfairly because of their race or ethnicity. This can range from subtle biases to overt acts of violence. Examples include denying housing or employment opportunities, making offensive remarks, or targeting someone based on stereotypes.
4. Why is discrimination unfair?
Discrimination is unfair because it violates the principle of equality. It denies individuals the same rights, opportunities, and treatment afforded to others. It leads to social injustice, inequality, and can cause significant emotional harm.
5. How does discrimination affect society?
Discrimination creates social divisions, fosters conflict, and undermines social cohesion. It perpetuates inequality, limiting opportunities for certain groups and hindering overall societal progress. It also negatively impacts economic growth and social harmony.
6. What is a good definition for discriminate?
To discriminate means to unfairly treat a person or group based on their characteristics, such as race, religion, gender, or origin. It involves making judgments based on prejudice rather than individual merit.
7. What is it called to discriminate?
The act of treating someone unfairly because of their identity is called discrimination. This can take many forms, including racial discrimination, gender discrimination, or religious discrimination, among others. It is often rooted in prejudice and bias.
8. Does discrimination mean unfair?
Yes, discrimination inherently means unfair treatment. It involves applying different standards or opportunities to individuals based on characteristics like race, religion, or gender, rather than on merit or individual circumstances. This creates inequality.
9. Discrimination meaning in Hindi?
The Hindi translation for discrimination varies depending on the context, but common words include भेदभाव (bhedbhav) and पक्षपात (pakhpaat). Both generally convey the meaning of unfair treatment or bias.
10. Discrimination meaning in Urdu?
In Urdu, discrimination can be translated as امتیاز (imtiyaz) or تفریق (tafriq). These words reflect the concept of unfair treatment or distinction based on factors such as race, religion, or gender.
