STANAG 6001 Level 3 – Speaking Task (Discussion): Main Reasons for Discrimination in Modern Society
Examination Task
People experience age, gender or religious discrimination. There are many reasons why this happens. Look at the list below. Discuss the reasons below and try to decide which of them is the most and the least serious in Poland. Be ready to justify your choice.
- Fear
- Lack of understanding
- Job competition
Sample Discussion
A: People experience discrimination for various reasons, such as age, gender, nationality, or religion. It often stems from fear, lack of understanding, and concerns about jobs, which lead to unfair treatment of others. I suggest we discuss each of these factors and try to determine which is the most serious and which is the least significant in Poland. Where should we start?
B: I think we can start with fear. In my opinion, it is the most important factor. People are often afraid of what is different – for example, individuals with a different religion, customs, or culture. Fear leads to prejudice and, consequently, to discrimination.
A: I agree that fear plays a significant role, especially in situations where contact with diversity is limited. Fear is often intensified by some mass media, which exaggerate cultural differences and portray foreigners in a negative light, leading to increased mistrust and stereotypes. Such messages can reinforce social divisions and contribute to exclusion. That is why it is important to promote reliable information, intercultural education, and attitudes based on respect and understanding.
B: I fully agree with your opinion. Fear in society also increases when people hear statements from politicians claiming that Poland will be flooded with illegal immigrants. This can be seen as manipulation of public opinion. For many years, Poland has been investing in border security, and the number of migrants does not pose a real threat to the country’s sovereignty or security. The government has also refused mandatory relocation of migrants. Physical and electronic barriers have been built on the eastern borders, and there are plans to develop anti-drone systems.
Therefore, it is important to avoid using migration as a political tool in public debate. It is also worth noting that immigration occurs alongside the emigration of Poles and negative population growth. As a result, despite the increasing number of immigrants, Poland’s population is declining. This shows that migration should be seen in a broader social context.
A: I would like to add that fear also increases during acts of sabotage, attacks on critical infrastructure, arson, or terrorist incidents, as these situations create strong emotions and a sense of threat. Unfortunately, this can lead to unfair generalizations and blaming entire groups based on their origin. As a result, prejudice and discrimination against innocent people may increase. That is why it is important to stay rational and rely on facts rather than emotions. Let us now consider the role of lack of understanding.
B: Discrimination often results from a lack of understanding, especially towards people who differ from us in terms of culture, language, or experience. When people are unfamiliar with others, they are more likely to rely on stereotypes, which can lead to unfair treatment.
A: Exactly. Lack of knowledge leads to simplifications because people fill gaps in their understanding with opinions heard from others. As a result, they create a distorted image of others, which can reinforce prejudice. This problem is often caused by a lack of dialogue and education. If people had more opportunities to interact, many stereotypes could disappear.
B: Let us also consider job competition. I believe this factor is particularly important in the context of discrimination based on age, gender, and nationality. Employers may prefer younger workers, who statistically take less sick leave. On the other hand, older workers, despite their experience, may have difficulties finding employment due to limited job offers and age stereotypes. Employers may also avoid hiring women because of maternity leave and the need to provide replacements.
A: I agree that the Polish labour market is not fully equal for everyone. However, it should be emphasized that labour law prohibits discrimination based on race, nationality, religion, or ethnic origin. Nevertheless, in practice, stereotypes about Poles and foreigners may still appear during recruitment. Employers may also be concerned about communication problems, lack of Polish language skills, or formal procedures related to employing foreigners. As a result, it may be more difficult for them to find a job, despite equal rights.
B: Yes, that is true. Discrimination also affects women. They face both barriers and unfair treatment at work. Women often earn less and have fewer chances for promotion. This is partly because they work in lower-paid sectors, such as education, healthcare, and services, but also because of stereotypes. Career breaks related to motherhood can slow down their professional development. As a result, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between barriers and discrimination.
A: To sum up, I believe that fear and lack of understanding are the most important factors, while job competition is the least significant.
B: I agree. The key issue is to ensure that education and social dialogue can effectively reduce all these stereotypes and prejudices that lead to discrimination.