Causes of Prejudice

Prejudice alludes to irrational attitudes about individuals drawn from a certain group.
Prejudice results in preconceived beliefs that could either be positive or negative. One major
cause of prejudice is socialization. Prejudices can be passed from one generation to the next.
Parents may influence their children to hold certain notions about individuals. The media can
also promote prejudice. Demeaning images can be passed through by the media, and this
can result in certain biased thoughts about various groups of people. Prejudice can be explained
as a byproduct of information processing. The creation of mental groups and categories may
result in the exaggeration of the differences between members of different groups.
Another thing that causes prejudice is conforming behaviors. When one holds certain
prejudices, they are likely to get the support of others. Rejecting prejudices puts one in a
situation where they stand to lose social support. People are always willing to conform to the
views and attitudes held by family members and friends. Negative societal norms are also a
major cause of prejudice. Society has created groups and assigned the groups certain roles and
responsibilities. In a situation where there exists both a dominant and less powerful group,
prejudice is likely to emerge as the dominant group asserts its power over the less powerful
group. When two groups are competing on an economic level, prejudice is likely to emerge.
Economic and societal distress increases prejudice.
Personal View on Prejudices

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I believe that I hold certain prejudices, particularly relating to people from various
nations. The media has influenced my way of thinking, and this has created certain prejudices.
However, I am learning how to uproot these prejudices and, in so doing, live positively.
Prejudices Fought by Society and Prejudices Kept by Society
Society seems to accept prejudices based on race, nationality, religion, and social status.
Many people hold various preconceived notions about members of a different race. In recent
years, society has been involved in a frantic fight against prejudices based on one’s gender and
sexual orientation. Although the fight has yielded mixed success, it is likely that the stereotypes
and prejudices will be uprooted.
Affirmative Action
Affirmative action alludes to policies set aside by governments and other institutions with
a view of supporting members of disadvantaged groups. In my opinion, affirmative action is not
a form of reverse prejudice. Prejudices in the past have created groups that disadvantaged and
underrepresented in various sectors. Various groups have suffered huge discrimination in areas
such as education and employment. Affirmative action plays a central role in bridging these
inequalities and helping individuals who were previously not favored by prejudices to catch up
with groups that were favored by discrimination in the past. Affirmative action helps members of
the minority groups and women, and this seeks to ensure that these individuals are treated fairly.
In my opinion, affirmative action is justified. Affirmative action helps in compensating for past
acts of discrimination. Affirmative action also helps in addressing the present acts of prejudice
and discrimination. Individuals that come from groups that were not accorded opportunities in

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the past deserve to be considered in the present. Tolerant communities can only be created
through affirmative action.
Question Two
Factors Defining the Success of Romantic Relationships
Relationships are complicated, and every relationship is unique. However, romantic
relationships fail due to a combination of different factors. One issue that makes relationships
fail is a lack of trust. Romantic relationships are founded on trust. Without trust, any relationship
is bound to crumble. Another factor that makes relationships fail is differing expectations. Most
romantic relationships start due to physical attraction and sexual passion. However, as the
relationship progresses, the partners differ in their expectations. Differing expectations result in
people drifting away from each other, and in the long run, the relationship fails totally.
Communication is also a problem that affects the success or failure of a relationship. Strong
relationships are founded on robust communication. When individuals in a relationship fail to
communicate well, a break-up or a divorce is the result. Relationships can also fail due to
narcissism. Narcissism is associated with high levels of infidelity and irresponsibility.
Relationships and People who are Similar or Different
I believe that relationships work better when people are similar. When people have
something in common, they are bound to have a strong relationship. People are attracted to each
other if they have something similar. Dissimilarities result in various types of problems,
including disagreements, and this could potentially result in a relationship breaking down. As
partners discover dissimilarities, they tend to grow apart. Dissimilarities result in partners failing
to believe in the future of a relationship.

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Aspects of Similarity and Dissimilarity that are Important
Some aspects of similarity and dissimilarity that could be important include religious
beliefs, core values, personalities. These are factors that people consider when starting a
relationship. Partners perceive individuals that share certain similarities to be attractive. As
people begin dating, the similarities or dissimilarities are confirmed based on the information
gathered. Certain dissimilarities could break a relationship as people become obsessed with these
dissimilarities.
Why Many Marriages End in Divorce
In my considered view, marriages end up in divorce due to a number of reasons. One
issue that causes divorce is infidelity. The level of infidelity in marriages has increased. In
addition, technology enables partners to easily detect infidelity. Lack of commitment is also
another issue that affects married couples. When people are not committed to the relationship,
they are likely to divorce. Society has also set the trend for divorce. Divorce has become normal,
and this has resulted in more people divorcing. Divorce is a trend that seems to have been
adopted by society. Parents who divorce increase the chances of their children divorcing.
Expectations also lead to many people divorcing. Different expectations mean that partners grow
apart in a relationship, and this results in a divorce.
Marriage Advice
My advice would center on nurturing their new relationship. Every person should take it
upon themselves to nurture the new relationship. Marriage is a difficult journey that requires
efforts from each party. It is also important to give yourself time to learn about your new partner.
It is important to continually get to understand your partner. Take fun activities together to get to

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know each other better. Engaging in shared activities helps build a strong relationship. Starting a
hobby together is a good way of ensuring that you enjoy quality time together. Every now and
then, it is important to have long and meaningful conversations. Communication is the key to a
healthy marriage.