Dubious Value of Affirmative Action,with Emphasis on Making up for past Discrimination

A report by Woody, et al. (1996) raises the issue of making up for past discrimination by granting special treatment to women now. The ideological basis of this view is analyzed. It is a feminist argument based on (1) assumptions of affirmative action for “protected” groups, (2) an argument for “group rights” instead of equal opportunity “individual rights,” and (3) the identification by the person with the “victim's” role. These points question the value of affirmative action and the claim for group rights especially when based on past discrimination.