Chapter 15B (Discrimination)

Question 1

What is Prejudice and discrimination

Answer 1

Prejudice
- attitudes and beliefs
- stereotyping based on a faulty and inflexible generalisation

Discrimination
- behaviour and practice

Question 2

2 types of Discrimination

Answer 2

Direct Discrimination:
- Different treatments
- treating a person less favourably under comparable circumstances

Indirect Discrimination:
- Same treatment
- impose same requirement / condition on everyone, but some groups are less able to comply with the requirement /condition & will therefore be disadvantaged as a result.
- Requirement / condition cannot be justified, i.e. not fair & reasonable.

Question 3

5 different groups who get discriminated

Answer 3

Gender:
- The way in which individuals are categorized according to their gender
e.g. not employed / promoted due to the gender

Age
e.g. elderly with physical deterioration seen as financial burden to family and society

Disability
e.g. housing estates do not provide wheelchair access to the residents

Ethnic minorities
- Racial discrimination based on race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin
e.g. employers reject the job application of the ethnic minorities due to language barriers

Patients
e.g. employers terminate the employment due to the frequent sick leave of the patients for medical appointment

Question 4

Equal Rights for Individuals

Answer 4

Equal Opportunity:
- Giving everybody a fair chance
- Creating a level playing field
- Addressing special needs
- Providing reasonable accommodation
- Judging people on their merits, not some irrelevant traits

Social Justice:
- Equal access to liberties, rights and opportunities
- Even playing field
- Valuing diversity
- Taking care of the disadvantaged members of society
- Certain basic needs must be offered to all

Positive Discrimination:
- In some cases, some differences in treatment are necessary to protect the interests of the disadvantaged groups
(E.g. the work related to Asian Affairs needs to be assigned to specific Asian people / places in schools are reserved for the ethnic minority groups)

Question 5

6 Acts of discrimination

Answer 5

1. Unfair treatment
   - Direct discrimination
   - Indirect discrimination
2. Harassment
   - A hostile or intimidating environment for someone
3. Vilification
   - Activity in public inciting hatred towards serious contempt
   - Severe ridicule of person
4. Serious Vilification
   - Threatening physical harm / inciting others to threaten physical harm towards premises, property, persons
5. Victimisation
   - Treats the person victimised less favourably because he or she has (E.g. broght proceedings/given evidence or information)
   

Question 6

4 Acculturation Strategies of Ethnic Minorities/Mainstream Society

Answer 6

Maintain relationships with Heritage (H) OR Dominant Culture/Mainstream Socuety (D)

Assimilation (Melting pot)
- H: NO
- D: YES

Marginalisation (Exclusion)
- H: NO
- D: NO

Separation (Segregation)
- H: YES
- D: NO

Integration (Multiculturalism)
- H: YES
- D: YES

Question 7

Discrimination and isolation towards patients with mental illness

Answer 7

Labelling
- prone to violence and suicide
- unpredictable behaviour
- inability to make rational decisions

Negative Impacts
- Discrimination / unfair treatment to patients
- The patients isolate themselves / social isolation
- Patients may conceal their case history
- have higher risk of relapse

Question 8

2 Possible Means and Solutions

Answer 8

Individual :
- Avoid discriminatory behaviour / stereotypes
- Learn about people who are different and show empathy and respect for all

Community:
- Healthy settings – community, workplace and school to develop a culture of acceptance
- Provide support services to the vulnerable groups

Question 9

Government Policies to solve discrimination

Answer 9

Society - legislation:
- Disability Discrimination Ordinance
- Sex Discrimination Ordinance
- Family Status Discrimination Ordinance
- Race Discrimination Ordinance

Taxation / economic incentive:
- Wage subsidy / tax reduction
- to encourage employers to employ people with disabilities / ethnic minorities / elderly

Promotion/ education:
- Education programmes to build a culture of acceptance/ positive social relationships
- Employment trainings - to provide training to equip them with skills to improve their performance / skills