Racism and sexism has led to minorities being treated unfairly “by placing obstacles in their paths toward achieving meaningful lives” (Wall, p. 203). This treatment is a violation of social justice. Affirmative action programs aimed at helping women and minorities to rectify this injustice are seen as preferential treatment and reverse discrimination. Proponents argue that this preferential treatment is necessary in order to help correct the effects of past discrimination of minorities and women by eliminating inequalities. Critics believe that preferential treatment is just as immoral as the social injustices affirmative action programs are trying to eliminate and that everyone should be treated as equals. Job applicants and those applying
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Equal opportunity does not refer to the equal distribution of wealth and jobs, rather it results in inequalities of these things as not everyone comes from the same backgrounds nor has the same talents. “Equal opportunity for all means only that the competition for the goods of society will be fair” (Wall, p. 207). Only when there is equal opportunity for all is there a chance for everyone in society to be afforded the best jobs and educational opportunities without encountering discriminatory obstacles (Wall, p.207). Equal opportunity is nondiscrimination with regards to sex, race, or social standing (Definition of Equal Opportunity, n.d.). Discrimination is the unfair treatment of one group over another (Defiinition of Descrimination, n.d.). Fair treatment involves treating people in a way that does not favor some over others (Definition of Fair, n.d.). Preferential treatment refers to giving an advantage to one group over another. Socioeconomic status refers to one’s social standing and encompasses education, income, and occupation (American Psychological Association, 2013). John Rawl’s theory of justice arranges inequalities to benefit the least advantaged (Hall & Woermann, 2014). Robert Nozick’s entitlement theory of justice looks at whether an individual is entitled to what he or she has (Hall & Woermann, 2014). Justice must be impartial and fair. With the principal of rectification, society “should try to bring about the situation that would have obtained had the injustice not occurred” (Hall & Woermann,
Equal opportunity does not refer to the equal distribution of wealth and jobs, rather it results in inequalities of these things as not everyone comes from the same backgrounds nor has the same talents. “Equal opportunity for all means only that the competition for the goods of society will be fair” (Wall, p. 207). Only when there is equal opportunity for all is there a chance for everyone in society to be afforded the best jobs and educational opportunities without encountering discriminatory obstacles (Wall, p.207). Equal opportunity is nondiscrimination with regards to sex, race, or social standing (Definition of Equal Opportunity, n.d.). Discrimination is the unfair treatment of one group over another (Defiinition of Descrimination, n.d.). Fair treatment involves treating people in a way that does not favor some over others (Definition of Fair, n.d.). Preferential treatment refers to giving an advantage to one group over another. Socioeconomic status refers to one’s social standing and encompasses education, income, and occupation (American Psychological Association, 2013). John Rawl’s theory of justice arranges inequalities to benefit the least advantaged (Hall & Woermann, 2014). Robert Nozick’s entitlement theory of justice looks at whether an individual is entitled to what he or she has (Hall & Woermann, 2014). Justice must be impartial and fair. With the principal of rectification, society “should try to bring about the situation that would have obtained had the injustice not occurred” (Hall & Woermann,