Gender and Racial Discrimination in the UK - Essay Example

According to Wallis and Robb (2012), gender and racial or ethnical discriminations are rampant in the modern British workplace. The most affected by these forms of prejudice are ethnic women from minority groups. In a specific case in London, Lynn and Davey (2013) report that a letting agent refused a black tenant based on his racial affiliation.In the British community, social class plays a significant role in determining personal life success. In a study by Lucinda Platt (2005), the survey of individuals from minority groups in England and Wales shows that parental social status is essential in predicting the educational and employability of the children.

In a similar report by Johnson and Kossykh (2008), the same results were emphasized. For this reason, it is clear that social class is an imperative factor in affecting personal success in life.Sociological perspectives and theories offer the best explanation of the continued existence of discrimination in UK society. According to functionalists, discrimination plays an important role in establishing social inequality that promotes social coexistence. However, the conflicts theorists view the same as a class struggle where the wealth (majority Whites) oppress the poor (minority) to obtain more resources.

On the other hand, the social interaction theories perceive prejudice as a social construction and interpretation aimed to achieve a specific objective for the majority. Nonetheless, the reality of gender and racial discrimination in the UK is the lack of commitment by the government and the people to end the same. In addition, socialization based on racial and gender stereotype models has programmed the society to perpetuate discrimination.