Inequality arises from unfair treatment or discrimination based on factors such as gender, race, ethnicity, age, religion, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status. This discrimination affects both opportunities and outcomes. For instance, lower-income children face unequal educational opportunities, limiting their access to higher-paying jobs. Wage discrimination exacerbates inequality, occurring when workers in similar roles receive different pay based on irrelevant characteristics like gender, race, or age, rather than skills or productivity.