The Morality Of Affirmative Action
America has had a long, dark history of oppressing minorities. In an effort to rectify this, affirmative action was implemented in the 1960’s to provide minorities greater access to education and jobs. According to utilitarianism, this is, and continues to be morally correct. Utilitarianism deems an action moral if it is optimific, meaning it yields the greatest balance of well-being over drawbacks. Affirmative action both qualitatively and quantitatively fulfills the utilitarian requirement of increasing well-being because it offers necessary opportunities to minorities, and improves society by encouraging a diverse workforce.
Affirmative action has had a long history of providing clear benefits for society. It was first implemented in the
1960’s, and was used to correct the effects of discrimination against minorities. Since it was established, “the number of minorities attending and receiving degrees from colleges and universities rose in the 1970s and 1980s” (Jenkins 4). This policy gives minorities greater access to education, and therefore a better opportunity for a career that will utilize intellectual contributions as opposed to purely physical labor. In addition, such work typically has better salaries, and results in economic advancement. This benefits them and their families, as well as society. For instance, it would help to diversify the workforce, and discourage limiting a person’s input based on sex, race, or class. Affirmative action has also led to colleges offering courses that teach cultural and historical experiences of a minority. This furthers people’s understanding of different cultures, and helps society become more accepting of and sensitive to others. Overall, affirmative action directly helps the people are able to receive a quality education, and indirectly helping America’s society as a whole.
Affirmative action is a policy that is still needed, despite societal progression. Racism continues in subtle ways, making it dangerous to reject this policy when minorities have limited opportunities. This is made clear when examining the economic condition of some minorities when compared to that of Caucasians. For instance, “between 1970 and 1992, the median income for white families, computed in constant dollars rose from $34,773 to $38,909, and increase of 11.9%. Black family income declined during this period, from $21,330 to $21,162” (Jenkins 5). At the very best, the economic condition of blacks has plateaued; it is essential that their economic standing increases at a similar rate to Caucasians. This would imply that they are being provided with the same opportunities, have the same access to education, and therefore the same chance of being employed for a respectable job. The need for affirmative action has not dissipated, and it will continue to increase the overall well-being of minorities and society as a whole if it is allowed to persist.
Opponents of affirmative action argue that preferential treatment and lowering standards may lead to a class of incompetent professionals. However, there is no evidence to support this claim, as most become positive contributors to society. For example, “a study conducted by Robert C. Davidson and Ernest L. Lewis of affirmative action students admitted to the University of California at Davis Medical School with low grades and test scores concluded that these students became doctors just as qualified as the higher-scoring applicants” (Jenkins 2). Accepting these students gives them an opportunity that they may otherwise not have had. Fortunately, most do not squander this opportunity and will use their degree to enter the workforce; increasing their wellbeing and that of society. Additionally, minorities that are accepted over Caucasians may just have been better qualified for the position. To eliminate affirmative action would limit opportunities for minorities, which would negatively impact them, and society.
Affirmative action was implemented to give minorities equal opportunities. Over many decades, this policy has provided tangible benefits. Minorities have had much greater access to education and job positions, giving them the chance to provide for their families. It has also helped to diversify the workforce, which may help to break down stereotypes, and promote acceptance and understanding of other races and cultures. Opponents argue that this policy may lead to a class of incompetent professionals. However, there is no basis for this claim, for research has shown that most do not squander the opportunities they are given, but use it to get a respectable job and positively contribute to society. Overall, affirmative action increases the well-being of society, deeming this policy moral under utilitarianism.
Affirmative action has had a long history of providing clear benefits for society. It was first implemented in the
1960’s, and was used to correct the effects of discrimination against minorities. Since it was established, “the number of minorities attending and receiving degrees from colleges and universities rose in the 1970s and 1980s” (Jenkins 4). This policy gives minorities greater access to education, and therefore a better opportunity for a career that will utilize intellectual contributions as opposed to purely physical labor. In addition, such work typically has better salaries, and results in economic advancement. This benefits them and their families, as well as society. For instance, it would help to diversify the workforce, and discourage limiting a person’s input based on sex, race, or class. Affirmative action has also led to colleges offering courses that teach cultural and historical experiences of a minority. This furthers people’s understanding of different cultures, and helps society become more accepting of and sensitive to others. Overall, affirmative action directly helps the people are able to receive a quality education, and indirectly helping America’s society as a whole.
Affirmative action is a policy that is still needed, despite societal progression. Racism continues in subtle ways, making it dangerous to reject this policy when minorities have limited opportunities. This is made clear when examining the economic condition of some minorities when compared to that of Caucasians. For instance, “between 1970 and 1992, the median income for white families, computed in constant dollars rose from $34,773 to $38,909, and increase of 11.9%. Black family income declined during this period, from $21,330 to $21,162” (Jenkins 5). At the very best, the economic condition of blacks has plateaued; it is essential that their economic standing increases at a similar rate to Caucasians. This would imply that they are being provided with the same opportunities, have the same access to education, and therefore the same chance of being employed for a respectable job. The need for affirmative action has not dissipated, and it will continue to increase the overall well-being of minorities and society as a whole if it is allowed to persist.
Opponents of affirmative action argue that preferential treatment and lowering standards may lead to a class of incompetent professionals. However, there is no evidence to support this claim, as most become positive contributors to society. For example, “a study conducted by Robert C. Davidson and Ernest L. Lewis of affirmative action students admitted to the University of California at Davis Medical School with low grades and test scores concluded that these students became doctors just as qualified as the higher-scoring applicants” (Jenkins 2). Accepting these students gives them an opportunity that they may otherwise not have had. Fortunately, most do not squander this opportunity and will use their degree to enter the workforce; increasing their wellbeing and that of society. Additionally, minorities that are accepted over Caucasians may just have been better qualified for the position. To eliminate affirmative action would limit opportunities for minorities, which would negatively impact them, and society.
Affirmative action was implemented to give minorities equal opportunities. Over many decades, this policy has provided tangible benefits. Minorities have had much greater access to education and job positions, giving them the chance to provide for their families. It has also helped to diversify the workforce, which may help to break down stereotypes, and promote acceptance and understanding of other races and cultures. Opponents argue that this policy may lead to a class of incompetent professionals. However, there is no basis for this claim, for research has shown that most do not squander the opportunities they are given, but use it to get a respectable job and positively contribute to society. Overall, affirmative action increases the well-being of society, deeming this policy moral under utilitarianism.