Equality vs Equity

Two hot topics for the price of one

Moderator: Moderators

Post Reply
User avatar
Furrowed Brow
Site Supporter
Posts: 3720
Joined: Mon Nov 20, 2006 9:29 am
Location: Here
Been thanked: 1 time
Contact:

Equality vs Equity

Post #1

Post by Furrowed Brow »

A recent meme hit by Facebook page. Equality versus Equity.

Image

Is the distinction cogent or does it gloss over the issue?
Does Christianity teach “access to the same opportunities�?

User avatar
Furrowed Brow
Site Supporter
Posts: 3720
Joined: Mon Nov 20, 2006 9:29 am
Location: Here
Been thanked: 1 time
Contact:

Post #2

Post by Furrowed Brow »

One problem I have with this meme is the phrase “access to the same opportunities�. In the UK the phrase is “equal opportunity�. Employers often have that phrase somewhere in the company literature or below their logo.

Whist the sentiment sounds fine in practice it glosses over the problem. This idea is very close to a meme perpetuated by Tony Blair. For example it means students can access the same level of debt to gain a degree accept of course the children of higher net worth parents tend to not need the debt or tend to have a more assured route into higher paying careers. Students from poorer backgrounds the debt burden is a greater risk as they are less assured of a well paid career. So “access to the same opportunities� is like the picture on the right accept the kid has to pay for each box They are standing on, or maybe a third picture is needed with a the short kid standing on three boxes he has paid for but his view is blocked because the fence is higher for him.

The sentiment that different histories may create barriers is apt, but I think once that idea is divorced from the notion of equality the idea is easily diverted into policy that still manage to reinforce social injustice. And so much depends on the what counts as equity. It it equity the short kid has to pay for their extra box? I think not , but that is how I see this meme playing out in practice.

Post Reply