NAME: MOBARACK MOHAMED
STUDENT I.D NUMBER: 810002095
COURSE CODE: FOUN 1001 ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC PURPOSES
LECTURER: GENEVIEVE PHAGOO
TUTOR: KRYS - DARCELLE DUMAS
TUTORIAL TIME: 5 7 PM THURSDAYS
ASSIGNMENT DATE: FRIDAY 12TH APRIL, 2013
Topic: Compare Two Forms of Discrimination in the University Environment. Thesis: Prevalence, tolerance, legislation and reaction, are points of comparison between race and gender discrimination.
Sub Topics 1. Prevalence. Topic Sentences 1. Gender discrimination is more
prevalent than racial discrimination. 2. Tolerance. 2. There is more tolerance for gender discrimination than race. 3. Legislation. 3. More legislation exists to address racial discrimination than gender. 4. Reaction. 4. Reaction to being racially
discriminated against differs to that of gender.
Tertiary level educational institutions have evolved significantly over the past decades. With specific reference to the Caribbean, many countries after achieving independence, have instituted tertiary level institutions to educate their society. Initially universities opened their doors to a certain class of individuals. The mostly upper class was first able to access tertiary level education mainly due to their ability to afford it. Discrimination exists in different forms, within the university environment. Prevalence, tolerance, legislation and reaction are points of comparison between race and gender discrimination. Gender discrimination is more prevalent than race discrimination. Universities have a fair amount of gender and race issues. There is a noted disparity between the number of females that are enrolled at universities in certain faculties, especially in traditionally male dominated faculties, such as engineering (Wilson and Shin 551). This compares with the racial composition of the medical faculty, which is predominantly white. There are fewer women in the engineering faculty, as there are less persons of color, in the medical field, than white persons (Shapiro).However, the incidence of this occurrence at universities varies with the number of females as with the number of persons of color in the different faculties. Females are more susceptible to being discriminated against than persons of color (Wilson and Shin). University faculties also discriminate in the hiring of female staff as opposed to male staff. There is a wage disparity that exists between male and female workers (Gardeazabal and Ugidos 179). This disparity is not as prevalent among individuals of different races. The term glass ceiling is relevant here which refers to the inability of women to progress to higher levels of management, similarly there exist the same phenomena for people of different races or color (Jackson and O'Callaghan 482).
There is more tolerance for gender discrimination than race. The term gender encompasses more than just male or female. It speaks about male, female, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender etc. Often, persons are discriminated against on the basis of their gender identity. It may be they were bypassed for a promotion at work, or not selected for a particular job. Because of the sensitivity of the matter or ones choice to be discreet with their gender identity, the issue of discrimination maybe tolerated by the individual affected for fear that they might be outted to society. An issue of racial discrimination is not taken lightly. It most definitely is not tolerated. In a telephone survey, after the September ninth twenty eleven bombings in America, it was revealed that men were more tolerant of discrimination than women. Women were seen to overstate and men were seen to understate their tolerance of discrimination (Kuran and McCaffery 238). More legislation exists to address race discrimination than gender. Many countries have clear laws that prevent discrimination by race for example in the United States Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: Equal Employment Opportunity states without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex or national origin. (Findlaw). It clearly states sex and not gender. Trinidad and Tobago has no clear law that protects one from gender discrimination. The law books of this country are very dated and do not encompass different gender identities to allow for protection under the law. Sex does not include sexual preference or orientation (Equal Opportunities Act Chapt.22:03). In the university
environment these forms of discrimination can be seen, both in the administrative faculty and the teaching faculty. Reaction to being racially discriminated against differs to that of gender. The university environment brings together a myriad of people from different backgrounds, cultures and races.
They all treat with discrimination differently. Gender discrimination can cause reactions in individuals. Certain gender identifiable groups, such as gays and lesbians seem to find strength in numbers. By forming themselves into cliques they are better able to cope with the discrimination that is meted out to them. This exist in many universities, where young adults who may be faced with some form of confusion about their gender identity, form groups to gain support. Racial discrimination, however, takes on a different form of reaction. There are recorded instances in history of violent reaction to race discrimination in schools in the form of protests for example U.S. Marshals were used in school integrations, New Orleans, Louisiana in November 1960 (U.S Marshall Museum). Many forms of discrimination exist in the university environment. Prevalence, tolerance, legislation and reaction, are points of comparison between race and gender discrimination.
Works Cited Alfred L [Link] Discrimination in Medicine [Link], 1948. Web. [Link]. 2013. Javier Gardeazabal. Arantza Ugidos. Gender Wage Discrimination at Quantiles Journal of Population Economics, Vol. 18, No. 1 (Mar., 2005), pp. 165-179. Web. 9. April. 2013. Jerlando F. L. Jackson, Elizabeth M. O'Callaghan. What Do We Know About Glass Ceiling Effects? A Taxonomy and Critical Review to Inform Higher Education Research Research in Higher Education, Vol. 50, No. 5 (August 2009), pp. 460-482. Web. 9 April. 2013. Kenneth L. Wilson and Eui Hang Shin. Reassessing the Discrimination against Women in Higher Education. American Educational Research Journal Vol. 20, No. 4 (Winter, 1983), pp. 529-551. Web. 9. April. 2013. Timur Kuran, Edward J. McCaffery. Sex Differences in the Acceptability of Discrimination Political Research Quarterly, Vol. 61, No. 2 (Jun., 2008), pp. 228-238. Web. 9. April. 2013. Trinidad and Tobago Equal Opportunities Act. Chapter 22:03. Web.9. April. 2013. U.S Marshall Museum. Race, Rights, and Riots: U.S. Marshals and the Fight for Equal Education. Web. 9. April.2013
