There's no excuse for it. Narrow-minded people are just afraid of what they don't understand. Sad to say that sometimes prejudice starts with parents who instill their ideas upon their kids about what's right and wrong. This is where many children learn prejudice. There have been so many times I have been discriminated upon just cause I'm a girl.
Some teachers are more biased toward guys and vice versa.
Sometimes even your grades can depend upon your gender. Sports teams discriminate, too. You might be very athletic and talented, but just because you're not popular, the coach might not pick you. I think discrimination is another bi-product of stupid people. Your gender and race determines what type of scholarship you get.