Segregation vs. Discrimination — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 14, 2023
Segregation refers to the enforced separation of different racial or social groups, while Discrimination is the unjust treatment of different categories of people, often based on race, age, or gender.
Difference Between Segregation and Discrimination
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Segregation and Discrimination, both detrimental practices, primarily differ in their application and intent. Segregation is the act or policy of separating people based on race, class, ethnicity, or other categories. Historically, it has been institutionalized, such as the racial separation in the American South. Discrimination, on the other hand, involves unjust treatment or consideration based on prejudice, without necessarily isolating the affected group.
While Segregation is a physical or structural form of discrimination, Discrimination can be both overt and covert, manifesting in actions, policies, or even just in mindset. For instance, a segregated school physically separates students based on race. Meanwhile, Discrimination can occur without any physical separation, such as when a qualified individual is denied a job because of their gender.
One can argue that Segregation is a manifestation of Discrimination, but the former is more systematic and involves spatial division. Discrimination can manifest in multiple forms – from racial or gender-based prejudices to ageism or biases against certain religious or ethnic groups. It's broader and not always as visible as Segregation.
In essence, while both practices stem from bias and prejudice, Segregation implies a physical or systemic separation, whereas Discrimination involves unequal treatment and can be less overt.
Comparison Chart
Nature
Physical or structural
Action, policy, or mindset
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Manifestation
Systematic and involves spatial division
Broader and can be overt or covert
Basis
Race, class, ethnicity, or other categories
Race, gender, age, religion, etc.
Visibility
Often visible as it involves separation
Can be visible or hidden
Example
Separate schools for different races
Not hiring someone because of their age
Compare with Definitions
Segregation
Enforced separation based on certain categories.
The city was notorious for its housing Segregation.
Discrimination
Unequal treatment based on prejudice.
Age Discrimination in hiring is illegal.
Segregation
Policy that keeps groups apart.
Public transportation once followed Segregation policies in some states.
Discrimination
Unfair consideration of a category of people.
She faced Discrimination due to her religious beliefs.
Segregation
Systematic isolation of one group from another.
Segregation in schools was abolished in the 20th century.
Discrimination
Judgement based on non-merit factors.
Gender Discrimination still persists in many sectors.
Segregation
The act or process of segregating or the condition of being segregated.
Discrimination
Action or mindset stemming from bias.
Racial Discrimination is a pressing issue worldwide.
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.
Discrimination
Discrimination is the act of making unjustified distinctions between human beings based on the groups, classes, or other categories to which they are perceived to belong. People may be discriminated on the basis of race, gender, age, religion, or sexual orientation, as well as other categories.
Segregation
(Genetics) The separation of paired alleles or homologous chromosomes, especially during meiosis, so that the members of each pair appear in different gametes.
Discrimination
The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex
Victims of racial discrimination
Discrimination against homosexuals
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.
Discrimination
Recognition and understanding of the difference between one thing and another
Discrimination between right and wrong
Young children have difficulties in making fine discriminations
Segregation
(biology) The setting apart in Mendelian inheritance of alleles, such that each parent passes only one allele to its offspring.
Discrimination
The selection of a signal having a required characteristic, such as frequency or amplitude, by means of a discriminator.
Segregation
(mineralogy) Separation from a mass, and gathering about centers or into cavities at hand through cohesive or adhesive attraction or the crystallizing process.
Discrimination
The act of discriminating.
Segregation
The separation of people (geographically, residentially, or in businesses, public transit, etc) into racial or other categories (e.g. religion, sex).
Discrimination
The ability or power to see or make fine distinctions; discernment.
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).
Discrimination
Treatment or consideration based on class or category, such as race or gender, rather than individual merit; partiality or prejudice.
Segregation
(genetics) The separation of a pair of chromatids or chromosomes during mitosis and meiosis
Discrimination
Discernment, the act of discriminating, discerning, distinguishing, noting or perceiving differences between things, with the intent to understand rightly and make correct decisions.
Segregation
The act of segregating, or the state of being segregated; separation from others; a parting.
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
Segregation
Separation from a mass, and gathering about centers or into cavities at hand through cohesive attraction or the crystallizing process.
Discrimination
(uncountable) The quality of being discriminating; acute discernment, especially in matters of good taste.
Segregation
(genetics) the separation of paired alleles during meiosis so that members of each pair of alleles appear in different gametes
Discrimination
That which discriminates; a distinguishing mark, a characteristic.
Segregation
A social system that provides separate facilities for minority groups
Discrimination
The act of discriminating, distinguishing, or noting and marking differences.
To make an anxious discrimination between the miracle absolute and providential.
Segregation
The act of segregating or sequestering;
Sequestration of the jury
Discrimination
The state of being discriminated, distinguished, or set apart.
Segregation
Physical or spatial division due to prejudice.
The park had Segregation with separate areas for children and adults.
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.
Segregation
The state of being set apart.
The Segregation of data is crucial for privacy.
Discrimination
The quality of being discriminating; faculty of nicely distinguishing; acute discernment; as, to show great discrimination in the choice of means.
Discrimination
That which discriminates; mark of distinction.
Discrimination
Unfair treatment of a person or group on the basis of prejudice
Discrimination
The cognitive process whereby two or more stimuli are distinguished
Discrimination
Biased treatment or consideration.
The company has strict policies against any form of Discrimination.
Common Curiosities
Is Segregation always a form of Discrimination?
Yes, Segregation is a structural form of Discrimination based on group differences.
Are all acts of Discrimination illegal?
Not all, but many forms, especially when based on race, gender, religion, etc., are illegal in many jurisdictions.
Was Segregation only racial?
While often racial, Segregation can also be based on religion, class, or other categories.
How can one combat Discrimination?
Through education, awareness, legislation, and promoting inclusivity.
Does Discrimination only occur in professional settings?
No, it can manifest anywhere, from public spaces to homes.
How did Segregation affect societies?
It created divisions, perpetuated inequalities, and hindered social cohesion.
Can Discrimination occur without Segregation?
Absolutely. Discrimination can manifest in attitudes, actions, or policies without physical separation.
Is Discrimination always overt?
No, it can be both overt (visible) and covert (hidden or subtle).
Can Segregation be based on factors other than prejudice?
While often rooted in bias, some argue that certain forms, like data Segregation, serve functional purposes.
Were there global instances of Segregation?
Yes, apart from the U.S., apartheid in South Africa was a notorious example.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
