Equity not Equality

May 11, 2017

Today's words of concern are selfish, selfless, insecurity, jealousy, entitlement, empowerment, equality.

Equality implies that we are all alike- to be equal we cannot be unique- when in fact, that is exactly what we are. Each of us is absolutely unique, on this planet to fulfill something no one else can. Sure, we have things in common- we are women, or men, or married, or single, educated or not, parents or not. We might have the same job, or live in the same town or come from the same country, but those commonalities do not make us equal. Each of our individual characteristics and life experiences play a part in the choices we make and eventually the people we become.

Let me try to illustrate: Two women with the same education (let’s just say coincidentally they went to the same university and obtained the same degree) were hired on the exact same day for the exact same job and starting pay- maybe, bank teller. Are they equal? Let’s layer it a bit more. One comes to work exactly on time every day and the other is always 10 min late. Are they equal? One dresses professionally, has a smile on her face when greeting customers and treats each one with courtesy. The other dresses in casual clothes better suited for the weekend and is rude. Are they equal? One looks for opportunities to learn, asks for additional work, initiates projects while the other comes to work, does her work and goes home. Are they equal?

Let’s look at it like this- Professional woman 1- comes to work on time, dresses professionally, is rude to customers and leaves the second her eight hours is up. Professional woman 2- Is 10 min. late, dresses casually, smiles and is courteous to customers, takes on tasks outside her exact job description and takes initiative.

Are they equal?

Should one be paid more than the other? Should one expect more than the other? Let me throw another curve ball into the mix.

Professional 1- leaves exactly on time every day because she cares for her father with dementia and her homecare worker leaves a ½ hour before she gets off work. So, for the last half hour of every day she is worried her father might have come to harm. Worried, distracted, maybe even rude. She dresses nicely because by living with her father she has extra money.

Professional 2- Is late every day because her daughter’s daycare doesn’t open until the exact time she has to be at work and it is 10 min. away. She doesn’t have enough money to buy lots of clothes because daycare eats most of her pay.

Again, let’s just say that they don’t know these things about each other, but their supervisor knows. Not only does this supervisor know, but bases pay increase on their individual circumstances, work, etc. Are they equal, put another way, is this fair?

Fair- so tired of hearing this word. It is for a two-year-old who has not developed the capacity to reason. I take a half hour lunch and she takes 40 min- it’s not fair. She has a messy desk and mine is clean, it’s not fair. Someone said something mean to her, it’s not fair. I am doing more work- it’s not fair. I won’t even get into the “it’s not fairs” coming down from the government right now.

What have we taught our children? That they can be and do anything...with no effort? Life really isn’t fair. Some people don’t get an education simply because of where they were born. Belief systems are persecuted simply because of where they are practiced. Women are without healthcare because men decide who gets it. None of this is fair.  So, what do we do with the unfairness?

Instead of creating little beings who never get dirty, or sick, or struggle because we protect them from unfairness, pain, and challenges, maybe we could teach them about the world. Introduce them to injustice, poverty, discrimination, fear. Guide them through it. Not because we are better or have the answer or can fix it, but rather so that they can develop compassion and empathy and a sense of wonder. Differences are what make the world both beautiful and unfair. We should not strive for equality, but for equity, understanding, and empathy.