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Equal opportunity - Definition and Overview |
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Equal opportunity is a descriptive term for an approach intended to give equal access to an environment or benefits, such as education, employment, health care, or social welfare to members of various social groups, some of which might otherwise suffer from discrimination. This can involve hiring and other practices. Major social groupings involved are those delineated by aspects of gender, race, or religion.
Equal opportunity practices that are race-blind or gender-blind may be distinguished from practices that involve or require affirmative action. The United States federal government and various state and local governments require affirmative action in terms of governmental hiring and contracting; other countries make any such action illegal.
Some think discrimination is a natural human practice which cannot be prevented by legislation. As a result, they argue that anti-discrimination measures are wasteful and ineffective.
See also
External links
- Australia
- United Kingdom
- United States
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