Understanding the Difference Between Equality and Equity
Equality:
- Definition: Equality means treating everyone the same and providing everyone with the same resources, opportunities, and support, regardless of their individual circumstances.
- Goal: The goal of equality is to promote uniformity and ensure that everyone has the same starting point.
- Approach: Equality does not account for the different needs, backgrounds, or barriers that individuals might face. It assumes that the same treatment will lead to the same outcomes for all.
Equity:
- Definition: Equity involves recognizing and addressing the unique needs and circumstances of individuals or groups to ensure fair outcomes. It focuses on providing the necessary resources and support tailored to those needs.
- Goal: The goal of equity is to achieve fairness and justice by reducing disparities and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
- Approach: Equity acknowledges that people have different starting points and may face different barriers. It seeks to provide customized solutions and support to overcome those barriers, leading to equitable outcomes
Illustrative Example Above
Imagine a scenario where three people of different heights are trying to look over a fence:
- Equality: Each person is given the same size box to stand on. While this might help the tallest person see over the fence, the shorter individuals might still struggle to see over it. Everyone is treated the same, but not everyone can see what's on the other side of the fence.
- Equity: Each person is given a box that is sized according to their height. The shortest person gets the tallest box, the medium-height person gets a medium-sized box, and the tallest person either gets no box or a small one. This ensures that all three individuals can see the over the fence equally well, despite their different starting points.