EQUITY and EQUALITY
EQUITY and EQUALITY
Equity and equality are related concepts in social justice, but they have distinct meanings:
Equality
Definition: Treating everyone the same, providing equal resources, opportunities, or support regardless of individual differences.
Focus: Uniform distribution (same for everyone).
Example: Giving every student the same textbook, regardless of their learning needs.
Equity
Definition: Providing resources and opportunities based on individual needs to ensure fair outcomes.
Focus: Fairness and justice (adjusting support based on circumstances).
Example: Giving students with dyslexia audiobooks or extra tutoring to level the playing field.
Key Difference
-Equality assumes everyone benefits from the same support.
-Equity recognizes that some people need more help to achieve the same results due to systemic disadvantages.
Visual Analogy
A common illustration shows three people of different heights trying to watch a baseball game over a fence:
Equality: Each gets the same-sized box (taller person can see, shorter ones cannot).
Equity: Boxes are distributed based on height (all can see).
Why It Matters
Equality is important but may not address historical or systemic barriers. Equity aims to correct imbalances so everyone has a fair chance at success.