What type of behavior does discrimination refer to?

Discrimination refers to actions taken based on specific characteristics of individuals or groups, such as race, gender, age, or disability. This type of behavior involves treating someone unfairly or differently because of these characteristics. The essence of discrimination is that it leads to unequal treatment in various contexts, such as employment, education, housing, or even interactions within the criminal justice system.

Understanding that discrimination involves actions stemming from certain traits highlights its impact on society and individuals, as it can perpetuate inequality and social injustice. The focus on characteristics in the definition of discrimination makes it clear that the issue is not about neutral feelings or unrelated behaviors, but rather how specific traits can lead to unfair treatment.