affirmative action

[ uh-fur-muh-tiv ak-shuhn ]

noun

1. the encouragement of increased representation of women and minority-group members, especially in employment.

affirmative action

noun

1. a policy or programme designed to counter discrimination against minority groups and women in areas such as employment and education Brit equivalentpositive discrimination

affirmative action

1. A term referring to various government policies that aim to increase the proportion of African-Americans, women, and other minorities in jobs and educational institutions historically dominated by white men. The policies usually require employers and institutions to set goals for hiring or admitting minorities.

Notes

Affirmative action has been extremely controversial. Supporters maintain that it is the only way to overcome the effects of past discrimination and promote integration . Critics dismiss it as “reverse discrimination,” denying opportunities to qualified whites and men. ( See Bakke decision).

Other Words From

• af·firm·a·tive-ac·tion adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of affirmative action¹

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

This difference is despite seven decades of affirmative action, India's caste system - a four-fold hierarchy of the Hindu religion - remains deeply entrenched.

From BBC

They said she was stupid and basically a "DEI" or "affirmative action" or "quota" hire, "the enemy within" to be vanquished.

From Salon

Ghana now joins Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, Mozambique and others in Africa that have working affirmative action laws.

From BBC

Some institutions of higher education across the nation have begun to review and roll back race-conscious scholarships in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling race-based affirmative action in university admissions unconstitutional.

From Salon

Supreme Court ruled last year that race-based affirmative action in college applications is unconstitutional.

From Los Angeles Times