Discriminates

To **discriminates** means to make an unjust or prejudicial distinction in the treatment of different categories of people or things, especially on the grounds of race, age, sex, sexual orientation, or disability. It involves treating someone or a group of people less favorably than others because of their characteristics, leading to unfair advantages or disadvantages. This can manifest in various areas such as employment, housing, education, and access to services. The act of discriminating can be intentional or unintentional, but it always results in unequal outcomes and reinforces societal biases. Legal frameworks and ethical considerations exist to combat discrimination and promote equality and fairness for all individuals. The key element is the unjust treatment, often based on prejudice or stereotypes.

Discriminates meaning with examples

• The company's hiring practices were found to **discriminate** against female applicants, consistently selecting male candidates with equivalent or even slightly lesser qualifications. This led to a significant gender imbalance within the workforce and prompted a legal investigation into their discriminatory behavior. Further, it negatively impacted its reputation.
• The software's facial recognition algorithm was shown to **discriminate** against individuals with darker skin tones, misidentifying them more frequently than those with lighter complexions. This raised serious ethical concerns about the technology's impact on law enforcement and potential for perpetuating biases within criminal justice.
• The homeowner association's rules were found to **discriminate** against families with children, prohibiting them from accessing common areas, and thereby negatively impacting their property value. Many felt the rules were deliberately designed to keep the community adults-only, and unfairly favored a specific demographic.
• The healthcare system was accused of **discriminating** against elderly patients, providing them with less intensive treatments and offering fewer preventative care options compared to younger patients. This resulted in poorer health outcomes and raised significant ethical questions about resource allocation and patient care.
• During an audit, the bank was shown to **discriminate** against customers applying for loans based on their zip code, rejecting applications from predominantly minority neighborhoods at a disproportionately higher rate. This had a detrimental effect on communities, preventing economic growth and perpetuating cycles of poverty.