Exposure to alternate accents leads to understanding and acceptance. — Banno

Not at all. You should come to Europe. You'd learn a whole new definition of what it means to be a redneck.

... Thoughts? — JohnLocke

Do you know any society where the above is not the case? European countries have always been profoundly classist.

In contrast, someone whose native dialect is a prestigious one can make it through life without ever adapting and without ever speaking anything but it, — baker

Yes, I think that tends to happen anywhere.

But in some places discrimination can happen in reverse, too. For, example, if you had an upper-class accent in some parts of England, some might label you as being "posh" or something along those lines but maybe this is more among older people who tend to be more set in their ways. I think younger people in general tend to be more tolerant. So, maybe age is another factor.

Also, in countries with high immigration rates it may be different than in those where immigration is lower.