INSTITUTIONALIZED DISCRIMINATION Meaning and
Definition
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Institutionalized discrimination refers to a systemic and pervasive form of discrimination that is deeply ingrained and perpetuated by formalized institutions within a society. It is a discriminatory pattern or practice that is deeply entrenched in the policies, practices, and structures of various societal institutions, such as the government, legal systems, education, healthcare, and employment sectors.
This form of discrimination is characterized by the unequal treatment or disadvantageous impact on individuals or certain groups based on their race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or other protected characteristics. Unlike individual acts of discrimination, institutionalized discrimination is not merely the result of individual prejudices or biases, but rather, it is deeply rooted in the systemic norms, practices, and ideologies of a society.
Examples of institutionalized discrimination include discriminatory hiring policies, biased legislation, differential access to education and healthcare, racial profiling, and unequal treatment under the law. These discriminatory practices are often perpetuated through formal rules, regulations, practices, or implicit biases that disadvantage certain groups and reinforce existing power dynamics and inequalities in society.
Addressing institutionalized discrimination requires deliberate and comprehensive efforts to dismantle and reform systemic structures, policies, and practices. It necessitates promoting equal opportunities, fostering inclusive policies, and challenging the status quo to create a fair and just society that values and respects the rights and dignity of all individuals, irrespective of their social identity.
Etymology of INSTITUTIONALIZED DISCRIMINATION
The word "institutionalized" means to make something become established as a formal, organized, or accepted practice within an institution or society.
The term "discrimination" refers to the unjust or prejudicial treatment of individuals or groups based on certain characteristics such as race, gender, religion, or nationality.
The etymology of the word "institutionalized discrimination" involves combining these two terms to describe a systematic and structured form of discrimination that is deeply ingrained within the institutions and norms of a society.
The concept of institutionalized discrimination emerged in the mid-20th century as a means to explain and analyze discriminatory practices that were not solely based on individual prejudices, but rather embedded within the laws, policies, and practices of organizations and societies.
