Abstract
While much is known about discriminatory behaviors in fields like the labor and housing markets, there is a dearth of empirical evidence on perceived acceptability of discrimination among the public. This study investigates this complex landscape by examining views on discrimination based on age, ethnicity, gender, and disability in Belgium through a web survey (N = 3000). Through four distinct vignettes based on housing and labor scenarios, we offer a deeper understanding of society’s tolerance toward discriminatory practices. Age surfaces as the most tolerated form of discrimination, highlighting deeply ingrained ageist ideologies that overshadow the value of experience and wisdom in older individuals. Conversely, gender discrimination is met with the least acceptance, reflecting ongoing struggles for gender equality. Our findings shed light on the influence of authoritarian sentiments, particularly through the lens of social dominance orientation (SDO), on the acceptance of discrimination across all vignettes. We found a significant interaction between SDO and ethnicity, with the effect of SDO on the acceptability of discrimination being more pronounced in vignettes involving ethnicity as discrimination ground. While acknowledging limitations, our research sets the stage for future exploration of the multifaceted nature of discriminatory views and the intersectional identities that shape them.
Public Significance Statement
This study shows that age-based discrimination is more socially accepted than other forms in Belgium, while gender bias is least tolerated. Acceptance of discrimination is linked to support for social hierarchies, and even personal experiences of discrimination can increase tolerance toward it. Understanding these patterns can help policymakers design more effective strategies to counter prejudice and advance equality in the workplace and housing sector.