Discrimination Based On Social Class - Essay Sample

Introduction

A social class is a grouping of people hierarchically based on income, educational status, wealth, occupation, and membership in a society or subculture. It may sometimes take the form of upper, middle, or lower classes. The latter case considers similarities in status, wealth, and influence in society (Rivera & Tilcsik, 2016). This essay will look at discrimination based on social class and how to avoid it in the workplace.

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Social Class Discrimination among Cultures

In Africa, discrimination exists majorly in the form of gender inequality, whereby males are considered superior to the female. The increased immigration into a country like South Africa has seen discrimination based on one's country of origin (xenophobia) due to anxiety on the pressure for job opportunities (Mabathoana, 2019). In the Indian and most Asian societies, discrimination is based on the "caste" where one belongs (either lower or upper caste) (Shaikh et al., 2018). Social classes exist in American society in the form of occupation, education, and wealth. Despite some scholars denying its existence, there is a general agreement that individuals have been hierarchically ranked (Dugan, 2019). Other forms of social discrimination are violence, social isolation, and verbal harassment concerning HIV/AIDS.

Avoiding Workplace Discrimination

Elimination of social class discrimination requires the formulation of legislative frameworks and effective enforcement of the same. In Africa, this can be done through a mix of customary and civil justice systems (Mabathoana, 2019). The Indian society has passed certain Acts and Rules to help achieve equality in the workplace. The result has been women's empowerment to be on par with the males without the fear of harassment. The act has also helped create awareness on the issue (Shaikh et al., 2018). There are at least seven laws to address discrimination in America, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibiting discrimination based on religion, sex, color, nationality, race, and sex (Dugan, 2019).

Conclusion

Discrimination based on social class is an issue affecting societies world over. It exists in the form of income, educational status, wealth, membership in a society or subculture, and occupation. In Africa, it exists in the form of gender inequality, the 'caste' system in most Asian societies, and occupation, education, and wealth in American society. Elimination of social class discrimination requires the formulation of legislative frameworks and their effective enforcement. Strengthening of such laws and creating awareness on their disadvantages will also help cure the vice.

References

Dugan, N. (2019). # TimesUp on Individual Litigation Reform: Combatting Sexual Harassment through Employee-Driven Action and Private Regulation. Colum. JL & Soc. Probs., 53, 247.

Mabathoana, M. (2019). A comparative study on the principles of equal pay for equal work in South Africa in the context of gender discrimination (Doctoral dissertation, North-West University).

Rivera, L. A., & Tilcsik, A. (2016). Class advantage, commitment penalty: The gendered effect of social class signals in an elite labor market. American Sociological Review, 81(6), 1097-1131.

Shaikh, M., Miraldo, M., & Renner, A. T. (2018). Waiting time at health facilities and social class: Evidence from the Indian caste system. PloS one, 13(10), e0205641.