Which of the following is NOT a category of discrimination as stated in the text?

The correct answer highlights an important distinction regarding recognized categories of discrimination as outlined in civil rights legislation. Race, national origin, and disability are all explicitly identified under various civil rights statutes as protected classes. These protections are designed to prevent discrimination based on these inherent characteristics, ensuring that individuals cannot be marginalized in areas such as employment, housing, and education due to these factors.

On the other hand, socioeconomic status is not universally recognized as a protected category in the same way that race, national origin, and disability are. While issues of poverty and economic hardship can intersect with discrimination, and certain local laws or policies may offer protections related to socioeconomic status, it is not a federally recognized category in the context of civil rights legislation. This distinction is key for understanding the framework of civil rights protections and the scope of discrimination claims.