Affirmative action and employment equity in the professions: Backlash fueled by individualism and meritocracy.
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| Title: | Affirmative action and employment equity in the professions: Backlash fueled by individualism and meritocracy. |
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| Authors: | Beagan, Brenda L., Sibbald, Kaitlin R., Goree, Toni D., Pride, Tara M. |
| Source: | Canadian Review of Sociology. Aug2024, Vol. 61 Issue 3, p241-261. 21p. |
| Subjects: | Affirmative action programs, Employment, Individualism, Meritocracy, Minorities |
| Abstract (English): | In the 40 years since federal employment equity initiatives were launched in Canada, they have faced persistent backlash. This backlash is grounded in and fueled by conceptualizations of justice and equality that are rooted in ideologies of individualism and meritocracy. Here we draw on 140 qualitative interviews with members of six professions from across Canada, who self‐identify as Indigenous, Black or racialized, ethnic minority, disabled, 2SLGBTQ+, and/or from working‐class origins, to explore tensions between concepts of justice grounded in group‐based oppressions and those grounded in individual egalitarianism. Though affirmative action and employment equity opened up opportunities, people were still left to fight for individual rights. This push to individualism was intensified by persistent hostile misperceptions that people are less qualified and in receipt of 'unfair advantages.' Through discursive misdirection, potential for transformative institutional change is undermined by liberal discourses of individualism and meritocracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Abstract (French): | RÉSUMÉ: Au cours des 40 années depuis le lancement des initiatives fédérales d'équité en matière d'emploi au Canada, celles‐ci ont été confrontées à des réactions négatives persistantes. Cette réaction est fondée et alimentée par des conceptualisations de la justice et de l'égalité enracinées dans des idéologies d'individualisme et de méritocratie. Nous nous appuyons ici sur 140 entretiens qualitatifs avec des membres de six professions à travers le Canada, qui s'identifient comme autochtones, noirs ou racialisés, membres de minorités ethniques, handicapés, 2SLGBTQ+ et/ou issus de la classe ouvrière, pour explorer les tensions entre les concepts de justice fondés sur les oppressions de groupe et ceux fondés sur l'égalitarisme individuel. Bien que l'action positive et l'équité en matière d'emploi aient ouvert des perspectives, les gens devaient encore se battre pour leurs droits individuels. Cette poussée vers l'individualisme a été intensifiée par des perceptions hostiles persistantes selon lesquelles les personnes sont moins qualifiées et bénéficient d'« avantages injustes ». Les discours libéraux sur l'individualisme et la méritocratie sapent le potentiel de changement institutionnel transformateur par une mauvaise orientation discursive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | In the 40 years since federal employment equity initiatives were launched in Canada, they have faced persistent backlash. This backlash is grounded in and fueled by conceptualizations of justice and equality that are rooted in ideologies of individualism and meritocracy. Here we draw on 140 qualitative interviews with members of six professions from across Canada, who self‐identify as Indigenous, Black or racialized, ethnic minority, disabled, 2SLGBTQ+, and/or from working‐class origins, to explore tensions between concepts of justice grounded in group‐based oppressions and those grounded in individual egalitarianism. Though affirmative action and employment equity opened up opportunities, people were still left to fight for individual rights. This push to individualism was intensified by persistent hostile misperceptions that people are less qualified and in receipt of 'unfair advantages.' Through discursive misdirection, potential for transformative institutional change is undermined by liberal discourses of individualism and meritocracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 17556171 |
| DOI: | 10.1111/cars.12480 |
