positive discrimination
Favoring disadvantaged groups
Positive discrimination is the practice of favoring members of disadvantaged groups in hiring, admissions, or other selections—giving preference based on characteristics like race, gender, or disability rather than treating all candidates identically.
The term is more common in British English; Americans typically say affirmative action.
Critics argue it creates reverse discrimination; supporters see it as correcting historical inequities.
The university's positive discrimination policy increased enrollment of underrepresented minorities.
Smaller portions of populations
- womenFemale adults collectively
- indigenous peoplesOriginal inhabitants of lands
- veteransFormer armed forces members
- ethnic minoritiesNon-majority cultural groups
protected classes · underrepresented groups · first-generation students · marginalized populations · target groups
Programs boosting marginalized representation
- quotasMandated numerical limits
- preferential treatmentAdvantages given selectively
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
- mandatesAuthoritative commands or requirements
set-asides · compliance · enforcement · reservation system · outreach programs · government intervention · regulatory · statutory
Compensation for injury
- reparationsCompensation for historical wrongs
- rectifyTo make something right
- compensatoryMaking up for loss
- corrective measuresActions taken to fix problems
disadvantaged groups · underrepresented · marginalized · rebalancing · social mobility · remedial · restorative · structural change
Depiction or likeness
- diversityState of varied elements
- accessRight to enter
- participationAct of taking part
- belongingState of fitting in
integration · mainstreaming · campus diversity · mentorship · sponsorship · retention · recruitment · talent pools
Advancement through demonstrated ability
- fairnessJust and equal treatment
- constitutionalityAccordance with founding charter
- stigmaMark of dishonor
- backlashStrong negative reaction
resentment · unintended consequences · tokenism · legal challenges · effectiveness · necessity · justification · proportionality
minorities
Smaller portions of populations
- womenFemale adults collectively
- indigenous peoplesOriginal inhabitants of lands
- veteransFormer armed forces members
ethnic minorities · protected classes · underrepresented groups · first-generation students · marginalized populations · target groups
affirmative action
Programs boosting marginalized representation
- quotasMandated numerical limits
- preferential treatmentAdvantages given selectively
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
mandates · set-asides · compliance · enforcement · reservation system · outreach programs · government intervention · regulatory · statutory · benchmarks
redress
Compensation for injury
- reparationsCompensation for historical wrongs
- rectifyTo make something right
- compensatoryMaking up for loss
corrective measures · disadvantaged groups · underrepresented · marginalized · rebalancing · social mobility · remedial · restorative · structural change · opportunity gap
representation
Depiction or likeness
- diversityState of varied elements
- accessRight to enter
- participationAct of taking part
belonging · integration · mainstreaming · campus diversity · mentorship · sponsorship · retention · recruitment · talent pools · proportional representation
meritocracy
Advancement through demonstrated ability
- fairnessJust and equal treatment
- constitutionalityAccordance with founding charter
- stigmaMark of dishonor
backlash · resentment · unintended consequences · tokenism · legal challenges · effectiveness · necessity · justification · proportionality · controversy
- workplace equityequal opportunity, pay equity, fair employment, fair hiring, fair treatment
positive discriminationmeritocracy
Advancement through demonstrated ability
merit-based selection · equal treatment · blind hiring · level playing field
positive discriminationdiscrimination
Unjust differential treatment
racial discrimination · prejudice · racism · sexism · bigotry
positive discriminationstatus quo
Existing condition of affairs
laissez-faire · colorblindness · race-blindness · sink or swim · social Darwinism
positive, positively, positivity, position, positions, positioned, positioning, positional, deposit