EXPERIENCE OF DISCRIMINATION
Experiencing discrimination can have harmful impacts on children and young people, including negative perceptions of their identity and negative mental health outcomes. This indicator looks at the proportion of children and young people (aged 12-18 years) who report experiencing discrimination in the last 12 months because of their ethnicity, gender or sexual identity, or something else about them.
Experiencing discrimination can cause children and young people to have negative perceptions of their ethnicity, race, culture, appearance, gender or sexual orientation. Those who have experienced discrimination are also more likely to experience higher levels of depression, anxiety and other negative health outcomes.
Racism and discrimination are felt through conversations or interactions with others, unfair behaviours, lower expectations, reduced opportunities, racial profiling and structural bias.
A number of engagements with children and young people in New Zealand have indicated that racism and discrimination are 'significant issues’ for children and young people. While schools in New Zealand must provide safe and inclusive learning environments, some children in New Zealand, particularly Māori and Pacific children, report experiencing racism and discrimination from teachers and peers.
Discrimination is sometimes linked to bullying and both affect mental wellbeing and have harmful impacts that can continue throughout a person's life.
This indicator relates to the 'accepted, respected and accepted' outcome.
How will we measure this?
- This indicator will be measured using data from the Youth Health and Wellbeing Survey - 'WhatAboutMe?'
- Baseline data from the survey is expected in 2021.
For more information
- For more information about the Youth Health and Wellbeing Survey - 'WhatAboutMe?' visit: https://www.whataboutme.nz/