Detecting Discrimination against the Poor, «Aporophobia»

Abstract

The concept of «aporophobia» helps us to recognise, identify and conceptualise the discrimination of those who are ignored in our society (Cortina, 2000). Rejection of the poor arises from a construct of stereotypes and prejudice towards socially excluded people. While the concept of aporophobia is increasingly used and its significance is recognised by professional organisations and civil society, it is necessary to determine the real knowledge the professionals have about the rejection of the poor. This study intends to discover how social service workers perceive the victimisations suffered by socially excluded people. Following the discovery that the workers identify different forms of discrimination suffered by their users, it is concluded that no procedures exist that detect discrimination and aggressions related to aporophobia.

Keywords

• aporofobia
• discriminación al pobre
• exclusión
• prejuicio
• estereotipo