Influence of Identity on Education
The impact of gender, race, ethnicity, and social class on education is significant and influences the educational background of different students. Social identities play a crucial role in shaping people’s views and academic outcomes. That is why it is essential to understand that different assumptions can influence the educational backgrounds of each person, which was the main reason for the creation of affirmative action.
Gender Factor
Gender, race, and social position can significantly impact a person’s perception of their academic potential and prospects. Gender, especially cultural expectations for girls, can limit their educational success. For instance, a girl from a lower social class can receive a poor-quality education due to gender inequalities. In addition, in most countries, there are prejudices about the role of women, such as that women should stay at home, rather than learn and develop. In this case, women face barriers to achieving academic success, and sometimes, gender is a crucial factor in teachers’ attitudes toward students.
Race and Affirmative Action
Racial assumptions significantly shape students’ educational backgrounds. For example, in 1973, a black student stated that he faced racial discrimination at the University of California, Davis, Medical School. The student claimed he was denied admission to the University because of his race (CrashCourse, 2016). However, the court stated that racial quotas were prohibited since they did not provide equal opportunity. In this case, affirmative action can harm others and perpetuate inequality.
One more example is the investigation launched at Harvard due to the presence of 22% of students from Asia (Netflix Is A Joke, 2019). It is seen that racial quotas are overused there, which influences the quality of education access for others. It is essential to address these crises by promoting gender, racial, and social equality, while also respecting the rights and well-being of others. Affirmative action aims to address the issue, but many precedents question the legitimacy of these actions.
References
CrashCourse. (2016). Affirmative Action: Crash Course Government and Politics #32. Web.
Netflix Is A Joke. (2019). Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj: Affirmative Action. Web.