Does affirmative action mean that we are applying different standards for white males than for women and minorities?
Affirmative action was never meant to encourage the hiring of any candidate who is less than qualified. One standard should be applied to all candidates. Assuming that there is a double standard implies that minorities and women are less qualified, generally, than white males. It is important that job-related criteria be used during the search and screen process and that all candidates be screened according to those criteria. One should note here that the term “best qualified” is often very subjective, particularly in the absence of job-related criteria. One person’s best is someone else’s average. Often people are differently qualified to do the job and bring different, but equally important assets to the position. Candidates are frequently described as “best qualified” based on years of experience. That measure of qualification is often not valid, and also works against women and minorities who are frequently newer in their fields, but who may also be equally or better qualified than
Related Questions
- Does affirmative action to assist minorities or women automatically and inevitably mean discrimination against white men?
- Does affirmative action mean that we are applying different standards for white males than for women and minorities?
- Does employment affirmative action stigmatize white women and minorities?
