One in eight say they have been discriminated against

[magic_norhan]

One in eight adults in Ireland feel they have been discriminated against in recent years, according to a survey by the Central Statistics Office.

The CSO said the figure was uncovered in its Quarterly National Household Survey for the final three months of 2004.

It said the highest levels of discrimination were reported by unemployed people (28.8%), non-nationals (24.4%), non-Catholics (21.6%) and disabled people (19.6%).

http://www.breakingnews.ie/2005/08/04/story214729.html

http://www.cso.ie/releasespublications/ ... uality.pdf

[badinage]

What a completely stupid, pointless survey. I get discriminated on gender grounds when I apply for car insurance, because I'm male.

Do I feel discriminated against? ************************ off

[pluralist]

Yep, what Badinage said.

[magic_norhan]

did you just read the headlines or the survey itself?

[flakie]

What a completely stupid, pointless survey. I get discriminated on gender grounds when I apply for car insurance, because I'm male.

Do I feel discriminated against? ************************ off

Well, obviously you do.

And, a lot of people reported discrimination by banks, insurance, etc on the basis of gender.

[commentator]

In every club in every town in Ireland every night birds are discriminating against ugly poor or shy guys and guys are doing likewise against ugly shy and fat girls. Discrimination is part of life. it is choice making.

[Telemachus]

Time to purge the CSO.

[magic_norhan]

hmmmm

very thoughtful deep debate here

[TheBear]

hmmmm

very thoughtful deep debate here

I think that what the comments are getting at is that discrimination is a matter of perception. When you treat people differently, for whatever reason, you are discriminating, but that doesn't mean that the people are going to feel discriminated against.

There are a lot of people walking around with chips on their shoulders, who perceive discrimination at every turn. The very fact of being part of some minority group is enough for many people to be extra vigilant for what they deem to be discriminatory practices.

[badinage]

What a completely stupid, pointless survey. I get discriminated on gender grounds when I apply for car insurance, because I'm male.

Do I feel discriminated against? ************************ off

Well, obviously you do.

If they gave me higher insurances because they don't like penises, or because they have more respect for people with wombs, then I'd feel discriminated against.

But if they give me higher insurance on grounds that men of my age are statistically more likely to be in a crash than women of my age, then I accept that as justified.

Discrimination happens millions of times a day. But these are justifiable discriminations (like not allowing an 8 year old to have a driving licence). They only become important, when they are unjustifiable discriminations.