Equal opportunity

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Equality of opportunity, sometimes known as Equal Opportunity, is a term which has differing definitions and there is no consensus as to the precise meaning.^[1] In the classical sense, equality of opportunity is closely aligned with the concept of equality before the law, and ideas of meritocracy.

Equality of opportunity is in philosophical contrast to the concept of equality of outcome.

[edit] Examples

Some use it as a descriptive term for an approach intended to provide a certain social environment in which people are not excluded from the activities of society, such as education, employment, or health care, on the basis of immutable traits. Equal opportunity practices include measures taken by organizations to ensure fairness in the employment process. A basic definition of equality is the idea of equal treatment and respect.

In job advertisements and descriptions, the fact that the employer is an equal opportunity employer is sometimes indicated by the abbreviations EOE or MFDV which stands for Minority, Female, Disabled, Veteran.

[edit] See also

Equality of opportunity:

• Universal access
• Meritocracy
• Egalitarianism

Equality of outcome:

• Asset-based egalitarianism
• Affirmative action
• Affirmative action in the United States
• Women and children first (saying)

[edit] External links

• United Kingdom
  • UK Government Women & Equality Unit

• United States
  • U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) (US) - the branch of the U.S. government that enforces equal opportunity laws in workplaces.
  • Department of the Interior Office for Equal Opportunity (US)
• Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy entry on Equality of Opportunity

[edit] References