Final answer:
Discrimination refers to the unequal and unfair treatment of individuals based on innate characteristics like race or gender. It can occur in various societal aspects, including labor markets where it might result in wage disparities or unequal job opportunities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Discrimination is the unjust or unequal treatment of individuals based on certain characteristics such as race, age, gender identity, and others. In the United States, there are laws that prohibit discrimination on various grounds, and globally, the United Nations has conventions to eliminate racial and gender discrimination.
Discrimination can manifest in multiple areas, including in labor markets, where it may involve differences in pay or job opportunities for workers with the same skill levels because of their race or gender.
Discrimination not only includes actions that arise from beliefs that members of certain groups are inferior but also encompasses the broader societal implications of these beliefs. Historical examples, such as the Jim Crow laws, exemplify overt discrimination, while more subtle forms of discrimination continue in modern labor markets. It is important to understand these dynamics to address and remedy discriminatory practices.