Origin of Affirmative Action

The origin of the term “affirmative action” can be traced back to the late 20th century. The United States used the term against the backdrop of the movements by civil society demanding equal treatment and justice against discrimination. It is associated with the Civil Rights Acts of 1964. In 1951, the term was first used by the then-President of the United States Mr. John F. Kennedy.

Affirmative Action Meaning, Functions and Significance

Affirmative action is a set of rules and policies that aims at reducing the discrimination of a group of people who are discriminated against in a particular area where they are marginalized. Affirmative action is commonly known as positive action. It is a bunch of policies whose main objective is to reduce the discrimination of such groups of people who have been historically discriminated against. Affirmative action bridges the gap between the equal and the unequal by promoting equal wages, the right to education for all, reducing gender disparity, protesting against discrimination, etc.

Table of Content

  • What is Affirmative Action?
  • Origin of Affirmative Action
  • Function of Affirmative Action
  • Significance of Affirmative Action
  • Affirmative Action in India
  • Article related to Affirmative Action in Indian Constitution
  • Challenges to Affirmative Action
  • FAQs on Affirmative Action

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What is Affirmative Action?

Affirmative action is a set of rules implemented by the government of any country seeking equal representation of the different sections of society. It helps reduce discrimination against gender, caste, creed, race etc. It also focuses on amending the historical wrongs faced by certain sections of a country. It ensures the prohibition of unlawful discrimination in the future and the system of hiring fairly....

Origin of Affirmative Action

The origin of the term “affirmative action” can be traced back to the late 20th century. The United States used the term against the backdrop of the movements by civil society demanding equal treatment and justice against discrimination. It is associated with the Civil Rights Acts of 1964. In 1951, the term was first used by the then-President of the United States Mr. John F. Kennedy....

Function of Affirmative Action

The function of affirmative action is to address historical inequalities by promoting equal opportunities for underrepresented groups. Its function is to level the playing field in areas like education and employment, ensuring fair access for individuals facing systemic disadvantages based on factors like race, gender, or caste. By implementing policies such as reservations, the goal is to create a more diverse and inclusive society, fostering social justice and breaking down barriers that hindered marginalized communities. Affirmative action strives to bridge gaps, uplift marginalized groups, and contribute to a more equitable and harmonious community, ultimately promoting diversity and dismantling systemic discrimination....

Significance of Affirmative Action

Affirmative action is one of the most important facets of any government. The significance of affirmative action is as follows:...

Affirmative Action in India

Affirmative action in India is evident in various fields such as reserving seats for the backward classes as well as the scheduled caste and scheduled tribes in educational institutions funded by the government of India. We see affirmative action in government services too where public servants are appointed from all over the nation. One classic example of affirmative action in India is the seat reservation in the parliament and the legislatures of the states....

Article related to Affirmative Action in Indian Constitution

In the Indian context, affirmative action is part of the Constitution, which is like a rulebook for the country. Specifically, it’s in Articles 15(4) and 16(4) of the Indian Constitution. These articles allow the government to make special provisions for the advancement of certain groups, like Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs). The idea is to ensure that everyone, regardless of their background, has an equal chance to succeed and participate in education, jobs, and public life....

Challenges to Affirmative Action

There are several challenges to affirmative action. The challenges include:...

Conclusion

Affirmative Action promotes equal treatment for everyone. The people are given opportunities from every background, caste, creed, gender to contribute towards the development of the country. It helps people who are afraid to let their voices out and also those who were shut off for years and discriminated against wrongly....

FAQs on Affirmative Action

1. What is the idea behind Affirmative Action?...