Formal Equality of Opportunity

Essay Assignment #2

        Formal equality of opportunity defines that upper-level, or superior positions can be open for competition to all applicants. Ultimately, applicants are assessed based on their merits and skills, whoever has the best qualifications deserves the position and earns the advantages as part of that position too. Under formal equality of opportunity, a person’s physical or personal characteristics would be irrelevant in the manager’s decision process. The applicant with the best merits would be given the job. For instance, declining to offer a job or position due to prejudice against a black, or a woman, even if the individual has the best merits, violates formal equality of opportunity.

        Substantive equality of opportunity is somewhat similar to formal equality of opportunity, but has an additional piece to the definition. Substantive equality of opportunity states that applicants are fairly judged on their merits; just like formal equality of opportunity, the most worthy is selected. Additionally, all yearning applicants would have “sufficient” opportunity to become qualified for the position if not at the high merit threshold already. This would mean opportunities would be provided to the less fortunate to acquire proficiency or sufficiency to get the position. For example, poor students are often provided more grants or scholarships to have reasonable access to a university. An issue with substantive equality of opportunity is that it is tough to pinpoint the “sufficient” value of opportunities. Wealthy parents can give additional resources to their children to succeed, like tutoring lessons that poor families cannot, which would mean unequal opportunities still exists. A second definition of substantive equality of opportunity is called “fair equality of opportunity” (FEO). FEO defines that individuals with the same native talent and same ambition will have the same prospects of becoming successful, no matter the varying societies. The socio-economic status of an individual has no impact on one’s competitive prospects, and the most meritorious are selected.

Americans should definitely give concerted efforts to achieve equality of opportunity in the United States. It is undeniable, inequality of opportunity is present today’s America. The most noteworthy inequality is based on the incomes of American citizens. The gap between the top 1% and bottom 50% is wide and continues to widen. In 2011, the U.S. ranked 64th among countries by income equality, a staggeringly low ranking (http://www.cc.com/video-clips/ro5l52/the-daily-show-with-jon-stewart-world-of-class-warfare---warren-buffett-vs--wealthy-conservatives). The rich continue to get richer, while the poor continue to suffer. Gender and race inequality is predominant in today’s society as well. Facts are well-known that women are paid less than men on average. Also there is gender bias in the work force and opportunities. Blacks, Hispanics, and other minorities are often biased against for jobs. Police brutality is a concern in America as black individuals are often treated violently due to their physical appearance. America should work to achieve equality of opportunity.

I believe substantive equality of opportunity is a better option to achieve equality than formal equality of opportunity. I agree with the idea of formal equality of opportunity and that the decision on a position should be given to the applicant with the best merits, with no prejudice for appearance. All individuals are given the opportunity to apply for the position. However, I prefer substantive equality of opportunity as it also provides applicants “sufficient” opportunities to reach the proficiency level for the job. Under substantive equality, the less unfortunate people such as the poor would be given a better chance to attain the level of merit needed for the job. Under formal equality, the smartest and likely the rich would be given the high-positions as the rich have more resources to succeed and a better chance of high merits. Substantive equality of opportunity gives more equal chance at the position no matter the socio-economic status of the individuals.

Pineapple is a young black girl who attends a segregated school where all her classmates were either black or Hispanic. An example of significant violation of equality of opportunity is the poor education system she attended. The education and teaching at the school is very limited as the teachers themselves are all uneducated and some are very cruel to the students. The school Pineapple attends violates the formal equality of opportunity as she has very limited resources to succeed and attends a segregated school. Pineapple and other blacks are void of gaining a good education like white people.