Has Affirmative Action Outlived Its Usefulness?’ Essay Example

or age when enrolling students, which benefits minority groups.

Limitations Of Affirmative Action

Despite the advantages of affirmative action, there are limitations concerning unemployment and education. Challenges such as the negative perception of manual labor, proof of favoritism, bias, and unseen advantages have hindered the complete achievement of affirmative action's objectives.

Despite the main aim of affirmative action being to decrease employment discrimination, this goal remains unfulfilled as unequal employment persists in different industries. According to a 1984 study, African-Americans continue to experience higher rates of unemployment compared to whites.

Despite its intention to promote individuals' maximum potential, affirmative action has been ineffective in achieving this goal. Categorizing someone as a minority can undermine and diminish their motivation. Jane Elliot carried out an experiment involving students from various economic backgrounds.

The results analysis showed that students with a higher background displayed traits like neatness, intelligence, and open-mindedness in contrast to students with a lower background. This discovery negatively affected the confidence of minority students and hindered their ability to fully showcase their potential.

According to evidence, affirmative action has shown that blacks who are considered minorities face obstacles in obtaining senior positions such as surgeons and firefighters.

The underutilization of highly-educated minorities is evident, with a bias in task assignments. Minority employees often receive low-paying positions or projects, while white employees are rewarded with bonuses and assigned white collar responsibilities.

Furthermore, affirmative action is perceived as ineffective due to the recognition of concealed benefits. In the employment sector, individuals who believe they are superior to others, particularly if hiring decisions were influenced by social and economic

status, often disregard the established protocols and guidelines within the organization.

An employee might not be bothered by arriving late to a meeting as it could be perceived as a result of their race, or they may choose to avoid interacting with colleagues whom they have been taught to distrust.

Despite addressing concerns about minority discrimination, preference, and class divisions, affirmative action does not fully resolve the following inquiries.

• Who exactly are minorities?
• Which sectors can affirmative action are excluded?
• How are career plans created?

Reference

1. Hurst, C. Social Inequality Forms, Causes, and Consequences. Sixth Edition. 2007. 374-377.
2. Belbin. M. (1981). Management Teams. London; Heinemann
3. Hardin, Russell (1982). Collective Action John Hopkins University Press Baltimore. ISBN 0-8018-2818-8