Discrimination facts for kids
Discrimination means treating someone unfairly or differently. It happens when a person is treated badly just because they belong to a certain group. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights says that everyone should be protected from any kind of discrimination.
People can face discrimination for many reasons. This could be because of their race, age, sex, politics, gender identity, religion, or how they look. It can also happen because of a past record, their lifestyle, or their choice of clothing. People with disabilities or those from a certain social class or group might also face unfair treatment.
Discrimination can show up in different ways. It might mean someone is fired from a job or cannot get hired. It could also mean being paid less money than others for the same work. Sometimes, it means being refused a home or apartment. It can also include teasing, harassment, or simply being treated differently from other people.
Laws called "equal opportunity legislation" help protect people from discrimination. These laws state that people should be employed no matter their race, age, sex, or religion. They also say there should be reasonable care for people with disabilities to make places accessible. Also, two people doing the exact same job in the same position should be paid the same wage.
In some countries, it is illegal to discriminate against someone based on their race, sex, or religion for jobs or housing. Even where it's against the law, discrimination can still happen for reasons not covered by the law. In other countries, discrimination might even be legal or part of the government's official rules. This is often true in countries with an official religion, where people of other religions might be treated unfairly. Discrimination is also common in places where culture has strong castes or social classes.
Contents
What Is Discrimination?
Discrimination is when you treat someone differently or unfairly. This happens because of who they are or what group they belong to. It's like judging a book by its cover instead of reading it.
Why Does Discrimination Happen?
Discrimination often comes from prejudice. Prejudice is when someone has a strong, negative opinion about a group of people without really knowing them. This can lead to unfair actions.
How Discrimination Affects People
Being discriminated against can make people feel sad, angry, or left out. It can stop them from getting good jobs, homes, or even friends. It also makes society less fair for everyone.
Fighting Discrimination
Many people and groups work to stop discrimination. They try to make sure everyone is treated with respect and has the same chances.
Laws Against Discrimination
Many countries have laws to prevent discrimination. These laws aim to make sure everyone has equal opportunities. For example, they make it illegal to refuse someone a job because of their race or gender.
How You Can Help
- Be Kind: Treat everyone with respect, no matter how different they seem.
- Speak Up: If you see someone being discriminated against, try to help or tell an adult.
- Learn More: Understand why discrimination is wrong and how it hurts people.
- Celebrate Differences: Appreciate that everyone is unique and special.
Related pages
- Ableism
- Ageism
- Antisemitism
- Homophobia - Transphobia
- Persecution
- Prejudice
- Racism
- Sexism
- Social stigma
- Speciesism
- Human rights
Images for kids
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An African-American man drinking from a racially segregated water cooler marked "Colored", in Oklahoma City c. 1939.
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Anti-Arab sign in Pattaya Beach, Thailand
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German warning in German-occupied Poland 1939 – "No entrance for Poles!"
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Antisemitic graffiti in Lithuania. The words read Juden raus (German for Jews out) and Hasse (presumably a misspelling of Hass, German for hate)
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An African-American child at a segregated drinking fountain on a courthouse lawn, North Carolina, US 1938.
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In the 1990s, Bhutan expelled its Hindu population or forced it to leave the country in order to preserve Bhutan's Buddhist culture and identity.
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Students protesting against racial quotas in Brazil: "Quer uma vaga? Passe no vestibular!" ("Do you want a spot? Pass the entrance exam!")
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An anti-discrimination education workshop at the Auschwitz Jewish Center, Poland, 2019
See also
In Spanish: Discriminación para niños
