Explain the three theories of discrimination and give examples of each

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Suggested Response:
• Interest theory: When people are trying to protect their own power and privilege, they discriminate against other groups to protect their self-interests. When a neighborhood does not want a group home to be built for fear of increase crime or decreasing property values, they are looking out for their interest without investigating the real effect of group homes on a neighborhood.
• Internal colonialism theory: This theory is based on keeping the dominant group – usually white males, in power. An example of occurs when people of color are denied entrance into college sororities and fraternities based on their ethnic backgrounds.
• Institutionalized discrimination theory: This occurs when institutional policies and practices that have different and negative effects on subordinate groups. Those are not usually official policies, but are understood rules that reinforce discrimination. An example of this occurs when men in a company go out for drinks after work and continue to discuss business and corporate politics while the business women leave to pick up children and take care of the home in the evenings. Women miss out on a lot of business dealings when they do not participate in the after-hours activities.