Equality by Lukas Whitehead

Beginning of the journey

whiteheadlukas — 2025-02-13 16:54:47 UTC

Consider what topic might be most relevant or impactful on my views about equality. I anticipate to define terms I have heard frequently throughout my life.

Privilege (before)

whiteheadlukas — 2025-02-13 17:10:17 UTC

Privilege in my experience has always been used in an insulting way. To judge the 'ease' of a persons accomplishments, often directly comparing those achievements to their own, which had been 'harder' to accomplish.

Literal definition

whiteheadlukas — 2025-02-13 17:11:38 UTC

a special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group.

The privilege race

whiteheadlukas — 2025-02-13 17:18:47 UTC

Focusing on social inequalities in a group of people. It creates a visual of the distance between people, some in the front, others in the back and most in the middle. Its been a product of circumstance that some people have a clear advantage in this race based on the questions he asked.

The goal is to win the race

whiteheadlukas — 2025-02-13 17:25:02 UTC

A race for a reward of money. I found this race was an analogy in a way, I want to find out - statistically, does this apply to for example; Job interviews (a competition for who gets the job/money).

2 steps forward if parents are still married.

whiteheadlukas — 2025-02-13 17:31:16 UTC

While direct data on the influence of parents' marital status on job interview success is limited, broader research suggests that family background, encompassing factors like socioeconomic status and educational opportunities, plays a substantial role in shaping employment outcomes.

2 steps forward if you grew up with a father figure in the home

whiteheadlukas — 2025-02-13 17:34:46 UTC

I found the presence of a supportive paternal figure can foster personal attributes that enhance interview performance. Not necessarily male, but supportive.

2 steps forward if you had a private education. 2 more steps forward if you had access to a private tutor.

whiteheadlukas — 2025-02-13 17:37:10 UTC

These are both directly related to socioeconomic status. They require the family to have money, its definitely a better scenario here to have these options available.

2 steps forward if you never had to worry about your cell phone being shut off. 2 more steps forward if you never had to help your parents with the bills.

whiteheadlukas — 2025-02-13 17:39:55 UTC

Another result determined by socioeconomic status. If a young person pre-18 still in full time education has financial responsibilities or worries. It will impact their results and priorities. I would understand that they may not achieve as much as others who do not have this vice.

Summary of the privilege race

whiteheadlukas — 2025-02-13 17:43:48 UTC

I understand the direct and large influence of socioeconomic status has on the educational development of a young person. Educational and financial advantages help in all stages of life to achieve more, faster. Comparing those at the 'back of the line' and those at 'the front of the line' when they both hit 40 years old, I would expect to see a difference in salary, job security, family life and much more. Its not a straight forward project, obviously much more would happen and determine life's choices, but regarding the 'start line'. There is a clear difference

Equality of Opportunity vs Equality of Outcome

whiteheadlukas — 2025-02-13 17:53:08 UTC

Talking on the topic of gender equality. Its very interesting to understand the terminology of 'Equality of Outcome vs Equality of Opportunity'

Equality of Outcome

whiteheadlukas — 2025-02-13 18:06:52 UTC

Considering gender equality, and racial equality

In my views, this is seen as an option that most people are in support of. But the worse often which would remove freedom and performance in many industries.

50% Men, 50% women, and an Equal spread of ethnicity for example. It sounds great when you talk about CEO positions of big companies, positions of power and status.

However, I feel you would lessen individuals freedom for decisions. If the country or company requires more of one gender or ethnicity to create an equal outcome, it pushes that gender or ethnicity into that line of work, and others out of it.

With regards to lower paid jobs, more labour intensive. Builders, soldiers, nurses, and many more. It's a career that may not be appealing to everyone. A nurse may be considered more empathetic than a builder. Personal characteristics, traits and ambitions will always matter when selecting a career.

Equality of Opportunity

whiteheadlukas — 2025-02-13 18:14:38 UTC

This is where I think back to the 'starting line for the race'. If everyone, regardless of gender or ethnicity, where all given the same starting position with an 'equal opportunity' to win the race. It would be much fairer. It would naturally be much more diverse. It would be an outcome based on merit and individual decision making.

I truly enjoyed finding an extended way of mentioning equality. It further defines what I think as a society, a company, a country or a School we should be striving to achieve.

How do we level the playing field? We can't snap our fingers and create a paradise of diversity and equality. We can't force this matter.

It must be equally decided that a fairer world is a better one.

We must distribute new opportunity equally.

We must recognise those who do not yet have it.

Privilege (after)

whiteheadlukas — 2025-02-13 18:18:57 UTC

I moved away from privilege by a degree or two, and started to discover a deeper understanding of equality. Privilege and equality are both describing what I think can be seen as a simple word. Fair.

Its only fair that we all get the same opportunities in life.

Its only fair that we are treated equally with respect.

Its only fair that our human rights are the same.

Whatever the topic, its a fairness that is fundamentally the right thing to do.