Significant barriers to inclusion are discrimination and prejudice. Differences between people can become a source of suspicion and antagonism and could cause to diversions and conflict in society and may start prejudice.
This could start assumptions such as:
Some people who are being defined by their skin colour, gender, impairment, sexuality or appearance are less valued and are inferior to or worth less and less significant than others and that they are less capable than others.
Another assumption it could start is that one religion, culture or social group is superior to another, embodying the ‘right’ way to live.
If a family isn’t a 2-parent nuclear family with parents of different genders and of the same ethnicity, it isn’t ‘normal’.
Prejudice has harmful effects and when children experience these attitudes, there is a danger of damage to their self-image, self-esteem and self-confidence. Prejudice leads to discrimination and even very young children can experience discrimination because of:
The colour of their skin and other aspects of their ethnicity.
The traditions and way of life within their family, arising from culture and religion.
Their disability.
Their gender.
Their social background such as the class/socio-economic ground of their family.
The structure of their family.
Many people have to go through prejudice, discrimination and overall lack of respect of respect as part of daily life and this is expressed in many forms:
Racism-ranging from petty comments and insults to physical violence.
Dismissal of the significance of female roles and qualities and undervaluing their contribution made to society, leading to disparity in ay and fewer opportunities for women to reach top work roles.
Buildings and public transport which disabled people find it difficult to get in/move around in
Homophobic abuse.
When children are discriminated against, they are harmed because:
They are denied the opportunities