Affirmative Action the Topic of Debate for Many Years

Affirmative action has been the topic of debate for many years. It has been controversial because it has been said to be a form of reverse discrimination. This paper will discuss the purpose behind affirmative action, as well as, its various strengths and weaknesses. Also, this paper will look at the following issues surrounding affirmative action such as the incompetency myth ( are companies hiring less qualified people?), the impact on employment (what has changed in the work place?), the impact on women (how has their lives changed?) and the impact on employment law (what documents back up affirmative action?). Lastly, a discussion of affirmative action on an international scale, and what international documents have to say about†¦show more content†¦(Nascoste, 1987, p. 294) One criticism of Affirmative Action is that it discriminates against people based on race and sex, and thus is simply a different form of racism and sexism, that legal discrimination based on bir th characteristics is racism regardless of whom indulges in such behaviour. (Nascoste, 1987, p. 297) A different argument against affirmative action states that the minorities who are under-represented are not as capable as the dominant groups. This argument has rarely been made openly in the past half-century. Proponents of this argument point out that even though affirmative action polices have been in place for 40 years the number of Black and Latino college students remains below their proportion of the total population. (Coate, 1993, p. 1229) Some view the disproportionate percentages of different races in schools and jobs as a reflection of minority cultures. Some cultures emphasize education and academic achievement less than others; for example, one might argue that education is highly prized in some Asian countries. Another criticism of affirmative action asserts that these programs encourage economic discrimination in favour of wealthier members of minority groups, sin ce such programs, at least the American versions, do not consider either social or economic class. Critics claim Affirmative Action proponents promote selecting a middle-classShow MoreRelatedThe Battle Over Affirmitive Action in the College World927 Words   |  4 PagesFor many the subject of affirmative action is worth protesting over, however, there are a few who would love to see the existence of affirmitive action abolished. 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