An examination of affirmative action in the US with regards to hiring and promoting, particularly the Disabled Veterans Affirmative Action Program (DVAAP).
Abstract This paper discusses affirmative action issues in the US, particularly as they pertain to the hiring and promoting decisions that come along with minorities, women and veterans. The paper focuses on the Disabled Veterans Affirmative Action Program (DVAAP) and looks at how affirmative action relates to discrimination in both hiring and promoting.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Too Much Action - Reverse Discrimination
Getting Around The Guidelines
Changing The Status Quo
The Specifics Of Law
Conclusion
From the Paper "The main ethical principle here should not be a deontological argument, but rather should be utilitarianism. The greatest number of people will actually be helped by ensuring that discrimination of any type (including the issue of reverse discrimination) does not continue in the United States. It is therefore very important to use the arguments that one can make to show why reverse discrimination will harm a large number of people, including those who it is designed to protect and care for. This harm can come from aggravation that others feel when they notice the reverse discrimination, but it can also come from employers and institutions that are being forced to hire or admit people who are clearly not qualified on the basis of their race or gender or handicap, or what they have done for the country in the past. Only when those characteristics are completely irrelevant will everyone really be 'equal' in the quest for employment. While disabled veterans should certainly be given the same opportunities as everyone else and be free from discriminatory practices based on their disabilities, they should not receive preferential treatment to the point that they are hired over individuals who are clearly more qualified."
Abstract The writer argues that it is moral to treat all persons with the respect and dignity they deserve. The writer proposes that to set up programs and quotas, to legally force companies to hire a certain group of people with a certain set of traits, results in disrespect and resentment. The paper discusses how disabled veterans should be given the utmost in support and opportunity to reintegrate into society. The writer further argues that this can only be done properly if the disabled persons themselves are consulted thoroughly to determine their qualifications and their wishes.
From the Paper "In terms of the morality of such preferential treatment programs, there are even more perspectives to consider when focusing on disabled veterans. Firstly, one should consider the fact that disabled veterans are in a somewhat unique position. They were injured in a profession that they had been highly qualified for. In preferential treatment programs, they are brought into jobs that they are still qualified for with the only difference being the disadvantage of physical disability. The question of qualification is therefore not necessarily a consideration in this case. On the other hand, the DVAAP focuses strongly and specifically on pushing for greater numbers of employed disabled veterans."
