Final answer:
Discrimination occurs when individuals are treated unfairly based on characteristics like race, gender, or disability. It can have various manifestations, notably in the labor market where it affects wages and job opportunities. While laws like the Civil Rights Act aim to combat discrimination, achieving equality and justice remains an ongoing challenge.
Step-by-step explanation:
Discrimination exists when individuals in similar situations are regarded differently based on the individual's race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability status. Discrimination can occur across various contexts including, but not limited to, employment, education, housing, and public services. It involves acting on the belief that members of certain groups deserve less or are inferior solely because of inherent characteristics such as race, gender, or religion.
In the labor market, for instance, discrimination may manifest when employers pay workers with identical economic characteristics like education, experience, and skill different wages because of attributes like race, gender, or disability. Despite this, there has been significant legislation such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 aimed at reducing and eliminating discriminatory practices. However, the struggle for equality and justice still persists as disparities continue to be a contentious issue in today's society.