No. 38 (2024): July-December
Artículos

Experiences of discrimination based on the physical appearance of university students

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  • Cecilia Ramos-Solís,
  • Marie Josée Sáenz-González,
  • Fernanda Burnes-Garza,
  • Josemaría Elizondo-García
Cecilia Ramos-Solís
Universidad de Monterrey
Marie Josée Sáenz-González
Universidad de Monterrey
Fernanda Burnes-Garza
Universidad de Monterrey
Josemaría Elizondo-García
Tecnológico de Monterrey
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21555/rpp.vi38.3153
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Published 2024-06-29

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Ramos-Solís, C., Sáenz-González, M. J., Burnes-Garza, F., & Elizondo-García, J. (2024). Experiences of discrimination based on the physical appearance of university students. Revista Panamericana De Pedagogía, (38), 128–141. https://doi.org/10.21555/rpp.vi38.3153

Copyright (c) 2024 Revista Panamericana de Pedagogía

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Abstract

University students continue to be discriminated against based on their gender, race, ethnicity, sexual preferences, mental health conditions, religious beliefs, etc. Discrimination based on gender and physical appearance, such as skin color, race or ethnicity, stands out for being the one to which the most experiences of discrimination are attributed. The purpose of this research is to understand how experiences of discrimination based on physical appearance influence the academic experience and emotional well-being in university students. Students (12 in total) from a private university in the metropolitan area of Monterrey who indicated that they had experienced discrimination were interviewed. A grounded theory approach was used for their analysis. Different forms of discrimination based on physical appearance were found, such as discrimination based on skin color, weight, height and/or the use of tattoos that are interpreted as a stigma of social status. These influence students’ self-esteem and stress, in addition to having negative academic effects such as demotivation and lack of concentration. Students have limited personal resources to face these actions received, and they do not find a close link to request help from university staff. These findings are discussed in light of other studies of discrimination based on physical appearance in universities.

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