PERCEIVED DISCRIMINATION IN TURKEY
4.Result
The research we conducted on the dimensions, agents and types of discrimination indicates that discrimination continues to maintain its existence embedded
in the social value system. In fact, on the one hand, discrimination appears as a
functional element with the role it plays in the process of reproduction of social
domination, and on the other hand, it is also the basis for those who want to
move from disadvantaged to an advantageous position in the social hierarchy
to legitimize their actions.
At this point, those who are disadvantaged by their ethnic/identity and/or
class positions are personally affected and harmed by the consequences of discrimination in physical and emotional terms. Those who are partially or fully
advantageous in the given relations of domination either instrumentalise discrimination in an egocentric way or, deny it or take it lightly especially when
responsibility should be taken.
The first finding of the study aims to interpret the diversity of different forms
of discrimination in society. Accordingly, we can distinguish three different positions. (1) Affinitive Perception of Discrimination (2) Ego-centric Perception of Discrimination, (3) Exceptional Perception of Discrimination.
The first refers to the people who are subjected to discrimination based on
their identity group(s), class position or world view, and therefore can quickly
capture the discrimination faced by others. The first position constitutes a
15- 16 per cent of the research sample, that is formed to represent Turkey in
small scale.
Ego-centric Perception of Discrimination is widespread in the society of
Turkey. It expresses a selective perception of discrimination. A person is
empathetic about discrimination on issues s/he/they think that they can
harm herself/himself/themselves and is unconcerned with discrimination s/he/they believes does not directly concern her/him/them. A very
selfish way of being. That may also bring the idea to support discrimination
actively or passively.
The Exceptional Perception of Discrimination reveals in the form of underestimating all kinds of discrimination. Among the individuals adopting this position, the tendency to evaluate the cases of discrimination which are undeniably
concrete as exceptional is very common.
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