Affirmative Action Pros and Cons

The concept of affirmative action is defined as the steps taken by the government of any country, in an attempt to create equal opportunities for all minority communities. In other words, it aims to increase ethnic or other forms of diversity in the social sphere of the society. Minorities are provided with benefits in the educational system, job and health programs. This has more or less same meaning in different countries, however, they are addressed by different terms. In countries like India, it is called reservation while in the countries like UK it is called positive discrimination. Every country has its own sets of rules and regulations, regarding the implementation of this action.

Pros and Cons
Regarded by many as the combination of various acts, such policies came into picture following the Civil Rights Acts of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Civil Rights Acts of 1968. Business units, schools and the federal, state and local government, all were involved in giving guidelines to the policies established in the affirmative action. Such policies indirectly give rise to reverse discrimination. The idea, generally, is to give support and assistance to the minority, for a better future. The fact however is, that many minorities belong to the economically middle and upper class families and still, they get the advantage of such policies. A poor white student who works harder avails no benefit and lags behind in the competition. So, isn't this a discrimination against the majority class? It decreases the standards of elite institutions, as they have to lower the cut-offs required for prestigious courses. Some minority students, who misinterpret these policies will just try to score the minimum possible marks and get through the exams, thereby, demotivating the more hardworking students. And what about the unskilled and less talented minority students reaching the institution, where he can't even survive for one semester. Just by reaching the institution, a minority student can't succeed, he needs to be competent enough for the courses.

The over thrust on such policies, proves to be a demeaning factor for the talent and appreciation, that a minority student can get. There are and there have been many brilliant minority students however, it has become a habit in the society to ignore their achievements, just because it is assumed that they might have got through by the help of the benefits in grades and marks. Quite wrong, isn't it? But then, isn't the combined system to be blamed for this? We got to ponder over the issue in depth.

• Diversity is the hallmark of every civilized society and that won't happen on its own. It has to be created by the combined effort of similar policies.
• Students who have suffered discrimination must be given the opportunity to flourish.
• It attracts minority students towards quality and higher studies.

Now, that we have seen both sides of the coin, we are in a better position to take some stand on this debated topic. According to me, the discriminated communities definitely need compensation and benefits, however, there must be a time frame for it. If for centuries, the minorities are given the advantages then won't that create a society that simply thrives under the burden of benefits? That will also affect the right to equality of every citizen.