Discrimination vs. Segregation: What's the Difference?

Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Published on October 17, 2023

Discrimination is the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, while segregation is the enforced separation of different racial groups.

Key Differences

Discrimination involves treating individuals or groups unfairly based on their characteristics such as race, gender, age, religion, or disability. This unfair treatment can manifest in various forms, including biases, stereotypes, and prejudices, and can occur in different settings, such as the workplace, educational institutions, or public services. Conversely, segregation is the practice or policy of separating people based on their race or other characteristics. It often refers to the legal or societal enforced separation of racial or ethnic groups, restricting their access to shared public or private resources, services, and opportunities.

Oct 17, 2023

Discrimination can be both subtle and overt, affecting people's opportunities, rights, and experiences, often leading to inequality and exclusion. It can be based on numerous factors and can manifest in different behaviors, decisions, and policies. Segregation, on the other hand, is more structural and systemic, involving the physical separation and isolation of different groups, often imposed through laws, policies, or societal norms. While discrimination focuses more on unfair treatment, segregation emphasizes separation and isolation.

Oct 17, 2023

Both discrimination and segregation can lead to the marginalization of individuals and groups, impacting their social, economic, and educational opportunities. However, while discrimination is broader and can occur between individuals or be institutional, segregation is usually a form of institutional discrimination where groups are separated by law, policy, or practice. It can be viewed as an extreme form of discrimination where entire groups are isolated and separated from one another, leading to a lack of interaction and understanding.

Oct 17, 2023

While discrimination and segregation have historical roots, they continue to exist in various forms today. Efforts to combat discrimination involve promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion, and addressing biases and prejudices. To counter segregation, it is crucial to promote integration, equal access, and opportunities for all, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or other characteristics. It involves dismantling barriers that prevent interaction and access and fostering environments that are inclusive and diverse.

Oct 17, 2023

Addressing both discrimination and segregation is vital in fostering social cohesion, equality, and justice. The elimination of discriminatory practices and segregationist policies is crucial for the creation of inclusive societies where diversity is valued, and everyone has equal rights and opportunities. While they are interconnected, addressing discrimination involves tackling unfair treatment and biases, whereas combating segregation requires dismantling barriers of separation and promoting integration and interaction between different groups.

Oct 17, 2023

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Comparison Chart

Nature

Unjust or prejudicial treatment.

Enforced separation of different racial groups.

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Manifestation

Can be both subtle and overt.

Typically structural and systemic.

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Focus

Inequality and unfair treatment.

Isolation and separation.

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Resolution

Promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Promoting integration and equal access.

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Outcome

Leads to inequality and exclusion.

Leads to isolation and lack of interaction.

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Discrimination and Segregation Definitions

Discrimination

The unjust treatment of different people based on race, age, or gender.

Discrimination in the workplace can hinder career advancement for minorities.

Sep 21, 2023

Segregation

The action or state of setting someone or something apart from others.

School segregation still impacts educational opportunities in some areas.

Sep 21, 2023

Discrimination

The unequal treatment of individuals based on their attributes, denying them rights or benefits.

The fight against racial discrimination is ongoing.

Sep 21, 2023

Segregation

Isolation of one group of individuals from others within a society or an area, typically due to racial, social, or economic differences.

Residential segregation can lead to disparate access to public services.

Sep 21, 2023

Discrimination

Prejudicial treatment of individuals based on their membership in a certain group.

Laws are in place to protect individuals from discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Sep 21, 2023

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Segregation

The enforced separation of different racial groups in a country, community, or establishment.

Segregation was legally mandated in the United States until the mid-20th century.

Sep 21, 2023

Discrimination

Unfair or prejudicial regard for or treatment of an individual based on perceived characteristics.

Discrimination often stems from fear and misunderstanding.

Sep 21, 2023

Segregation

The policy or practice of separating people of different races, classes, or ethnic groups, especially as a form of discrimination.

The harmful effects of segregation continue to perpetuate inequality.

Sep 21, 2023

Discrimination

The act of making unjustified distinctions between human beings based on the groups, classes, or other categories to which they are perceived to belong.

Discrimination can lead to a lack of diversity in certain sectors.

Sep 21, 2023

Segregation

The act of being set apart, causing or being caused by inequality within groups.

Ending segregation is a crucial step toward achieving societal equality.

Sep 21, 2023

Discrimination

The act of discriminating.

Sep 17, 2023

Segregation

The act or process of segregating or the condition of being segregated.

Sep 17, 2023

Discrimination

The ability or power to see or make fine distinctions; discernment.

Sep 17, 2023

Segregation

The policy or practice of separating people of different races, classes, or ethnic groups, as in schools, housing, and public or commercial facilities, especially as a form of discrimination.

Sep 17, 2023

Discrimination

Treatment or consideration based on class or category, such as race or gender, rather than individual merit; partiality or prejudice.

Sep 17, 2023

Segregation

(Genetics) The separation of paired alleles or homologous chromosomes, especially during meiosis, so that the members of each pair appear in different gametes.

Sep 17, 2023

Discrimination

Discernment, the act of discriminating, discerning, distinguishing, noting or perceiving differences between things, with the intent to understand rightly and make correct decisions.

Sep 17, 2023

Segregation

The setting apart or separation of things or people, as a natural process, a manner of organizing people that may be voluntary or enforced by law.

Sep 17, 2023

Discrimination

Differential treatment of an individual or group to their disadvantage; treatment or consideration based on class or category rather than individual merit; partiality; prejudice; bigotry.

Sexual or racial discrimination

Reverse discrimination

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Segregation

(biology) The setting apart in Mendelian inheritance of alleles, such that each parent passes only one allele to its offspring.

Sep 17, 2023

Discrimination

(uncountable) The quality of being discriminating; acute discernment, especially in matters of good taste.

Sep 17, 2023

Segregation

(mineralogy) Separation from a mass, and gathering about centers or into cavities at hand through cohesive or adhesive attraction or the crystallizing process.

Sep 17, 2023

Discrimination

That which discriminates; a distinguishing mark, a characteristic.

Sep 17, 2023

Segregation

The separation of people (geographically, residentially, or in businesses, public transit, etc) into racial or other categories (e.g. religion, sex).

Sep 17, 2023

Discrimination

The act of discriminating, distinguishing, or noting and marking differences.

To make an anxious discrimination between the miracle absolute and providential.

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Segregation

(sociology) The separation of people (geographically, residentially, or in businesses, public transit, etc) into various categories which occurs due to social forces (culture, etc).

Sep 17, 2023

Discrimination

The state of being discriminated, distinguished, or set apart.

Sep 17, 2023

Segregation

(genetics) The separation of a pair of chromatids or chromosomes during mitosis and meiosis

Sep 17, 2023

Discrimination

The arbitrary imposition of unequal tariffs for substantially the same service.

A difference in rates, not based upon any corresponding difference in cost, constitutes a case of discrimination.

Sep 17, 2023

Segregation

The act of segregating, or the state of being segregated; separation from others; a parting.

Sep 17, 2023

Discrimination

The quality of being discriminating; faculty of nicely distinguishing; acute discernment; as, to show great discrimination in the choice of means.

Sep 17, 2023

Segregation

Separation from a mass, and gathering about centers or into cavities at hand through cohesive attraction or the crystallizing process.

Sep 17, 2023

Discrimination

That which discriminates; mark of distinction.

Sep 17, 2023

Segregation

(genetics) the separation of paired alleles during meiosis so that members of each pair of alleles appear in different gametes

Sep 17, 2023

Discrimination

Unfair treatment of a person or group on the basis of prejudice

Sep 17, 2023

Segregation

A social system that provides separate facilities for minority groups

Sep 17, 2023

Discrimination

The cognitive process whereby two or more stimuli are distinguished

Sep 17, 2023

Segregation

The act of segregating or sequestering;

Sequestration of the jury

Sep 17, 2023

FAQs

Can discrimination be positive?

Some argue affirmative action is “positive” discrimination, but the term generally refers to unjust treatment.

Oct 17, 2023

Were there laws enforcing segregation?

Yes, "Jim Crow" laws in the U.S. enforced racial segregation until the 1960s.

Oct 17, 2023

Is discrimination only based on race?

No, discrimination can be based on various attributes like gender, age, religion, etc.

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Can discrimination occur at the institutional level?

Yes, institutional discrimination involves policies or practices that disadvantage certain groups.

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Can discrimination lead to segregation?

Yes, pervasive discrimination can institutionalize and lead to the segregation of different groups.

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Is segregation always racial?

No, segregation can also occur based on ethnicity, economic status, religion, etc.

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Can segregation be voluntary?

While typically enforced, some groups may self-segregate due to cultural, social, or other reasons.

Oct 17, 2023

Can education reduce discrimination?

Education can raise awareness, challenge biases, and promote inclusivity, thereby helping to reduce discrimination.

Oct 17, 2023

Can addressing discrimination lead to the elimination of segregation?

Addressing and combating discrimination is a step toward eliminating segregation but addressing systemic and structural issues is also crucial.

Oct 17, 2023

Can segregation have long-lasting effects on communities?

Yes, segregation can lead to enduring economic, social, and educational disparities.

Oct 17, 2023

Can discrimination be unintentional?

Yes, unintentional discrimination can occur due to implicit biases or systemic issues.

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Is segregation only a thing of the past?

While legally mandated segregation is mostly in the past, de facto segregation still exists in various forms.

Oct 17, 2023

Can laws fully eliminate discrimination?

Laws can prohibit discriminatory practices, but addressing underlying attitudes and biases is also necessary for true equality.

Oct 17, 2023

Is there a relationship between segregation and inequality?

Yes, segregation fosters and perpetuates inequality by isolating groups and limiting access to opportunities and resources.

Oct 17, 2023

Is eliminating segregation sufficient to achieve equality?

Eliminating segregation is crucial, but achieving equality also requires addressing systemic discrimination, biases, and disparities.

Oct 17, 2023

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About Author

Written by

Sawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.

Edited by

Sumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.