Most White men in NZ don’t feel discriminated against, study finds
A study finds most White men in NZ don’t feel discriminated against, but a small minority does, with perceptions increasing over time.
Why it matters
- Understanding perceptions of discrimination can help address underlying social issues and promote positive change.
- The study highlights the importance of tailoring interventions to specific groups to reduce prejudice and feelings of discrimination.
By the numbers
- 83% of White men in NZ reported low levels of perceived discrimination over 10 years.
- About 17% felt discriminated against, split into "Disenfranchised" (8.5%) and "Radicalized" (8.8%) subgroups.
- The Radicalized group saw a sharp increase in perceived discrimination after 2016.
The big picture
- Most White men in NZ do not feel discriminated against, which is encouraging given global narratives of reverse racism and sexism.
- However, a small but significant minority does feel discriminated against, and addressing their concerns is crucial for social cohesion.
What they're saying
- Some commenters point out that systemic issues and socioeconomic factors can influence perceptions of discrimination.
- Others caution against generalizing these findings to other countries or cultures.
Caveats
- The study is based on self-reported perceptions of discrimination, which may not capture the full complexity of these experiences.
- The findings are specific to New Zealand and may not apply to other countries with different social and political contexts.
What’s next
- The researchers plan to further explore the role of political messaging and media narratives in shaping feelings of discrimination.
- They also aim to investigate strategies to reduce these perceptions and their potential political influence.