Ethnicity: Ethnicity defines individuals and groups who have characteristics such as language, religion, dress and origin. Discrimination can take place when people believe their ethnic characteristics are inferior then others.
Gender: at birth we are classified as either male or female. Historically it was seen men were more important and had more rights than women however now into day’s society women and men have the same balance of equal. For instance men now participate in child caring and women’s choice of working as a mechanic has become popular. However there are still assumptions made about some ones gender that can lead to discrimination.
Social class: social class is to do with the status that an individual has in society. This is based on, wealth and lifestyle. The British class system is divided into three layers; working class, middle class and upper class. The higher up the class you are the more power and influence you have on others. Social class affects health and well-being as a person in a lower class because you’re less likely to have the same opportunities in life as those in a higher class, as they have a poorer employment prospects and lower income.
Family structure: A family is social group made up of people who are related to each other by birth. Being part of a family shows others that those people are connected in some way. We can classify four different types of family:
• Extended family ( a family which extends beyond the nuclear family to include grandparents and other relatives)
• Nuclear family ( a married couple with their two children)
• Lone parent family ( is a single parent with their children)
• Reconstituted family (also known as blended family. This is when two individuals who have children from their previous relationships marry and their children become step brothers and sisters)
Discrimination can take place