What does the term 'protected class' typically refer to in legal contexts?

The term 'protected class' typically refers to individuals who are granted specific legal protections against discrimination based on certain characteristics. These characteristics often include race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, and religion, among others. Laws such as the Civil Rights Act and various anti-discrimination laws at both the federal and state levels are designed to safeguard these individuals from discrimination in areas such as employment, housing, and education.

While socioeconomic status, employment type, and education may involve other legal considerations, they do not constitute the primary focus of the protections ordinarily afforded to individuals within a protected class. Instead, the emphasis on specific traits that historically have faced discrimination establishes the foundational purpose of designating a 'protected class.' This designation aims to promote equality and protect against unfair treatment based solely on inherent or defining characteristics.