What are the differences between equality and equity?

Key ideas for learning to distinguish between these two concepts: equity and equality.

We often use the terms equality and equity as synonyms, or we think they mean the same thing but with nuances. However, they are different ideas with different implications at the societal level.

Although both terms are dimensions of social justice, the truth is that there are differences between equality and equity, the truth is that there are differences between equality and equity, which we will see below.which we will look at in more detail in this article.

Differences between equality and equity: how to distinguish between the two concepts?

The words equality and equity are often found together, so it is not surprising that many people tend to confuse them, thinking that they either mean exactly the same thing or have a similar definition with certain nuances. Actually, both words refer to concepts refer to concepts that, although related, do not imply the same thing and, in fact, at the social level, imply different and, in fact, at a social level they imply different consequences.

What is equality?

Equality implies treating all people equally before the law, without discriminating or offering privileges to anyone.without discriminating or offering privileges to anyone. In other words, equal treatment is one in which everyone is given the same regardless of their differences such as gender, race, socioeconomic status or any other differentiating characteristic.

Equality is a human rightIt is established in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. In that declaration, sovereign states pledge to provide their citizens with equal treatment under the law, both in accessing their rights and in enforcing their obligations.

What is equity?

Equity is understood as the principle or disposition to give everyone the same treatment before the law, without discrimination, but considering their specific situation and needs. give everyone the same treatment before the law, without discrimination, but taking into account their specific situation and needs.. That is to say, within equity would be the idea of equality, but taking into account that not everyone has the same luck and that, sometimes, offering the same treatment is still unfair to the most unfortunate people.

In the idea of equity is intended to be fair or to impart justice, but taking into account that everyone is different, both for better and for worse.For better or for worse, and that human beings, although deserving of the same rights, have individual needs or experience different situations, in which a specific treatment is necessary.

The case of the baseball game

To see clearly the differences between equality and equity, we are going to use as a graphic example an image that has become very popular in recent years.which allows us to understand very quickly these two ideas and how they differ. The image, popularized by social networks, is of three people of different heights trying to watch a baseball game behind a fence. There is a tall person, a person of medium height and a person of small height.

At first, and without any help or support, the only person who manages to see the game is the tall one, since his height exceeds the height of the fence. The medium person has difficulties and has to stand on tiptoe to be able to see something, but does not succeed. The most unfortunate is the short person, since even on tiptoe he cannot see anything of the game. This first situation represents the social injustice when we do not intervene..

Next, we have an image that tries to represent equality. Someone has given these three people three identical wooden boxes, one for each of them to stand on. The tall person is now even higher than the height of the fence, while the middle one finally gets a good view of the game. Unfortunately, the short person, although she has stood on top of her box, does not get to see anything: she has not been given enough to be able to be at the same height, even though the treatment has been equal.

Finally, we have the image that represents equity. In this case it is taken into account that the three people are not equal, even though they have the same right to see the game.. To ensure that they can see it, boxes are distributed, but not one for each of them. The tall person does not need a box, since he already watches the game without help. The middle person will need one box to watch it, but the short person needs two boxes to watch it.

Now the three people can enjoy the game because they are on the same level. It is true that the distribution of boxes has not been the same, because one has been given more boxes than the other two. However, given that the result is the same, that the three people can watch the game at the same height, this is a measure that contributes to social justice, since everyone receives the same right, in this case to watch the baseball game.

Based on this example, we can understand that the main difference between equality and equity is that the former implies giving justice to all citizens in a uniform way, while the latter is intended to give justice to all citizens in a uniform way, while the latter is intended to give justice to all citizens in a uniform way.while the latter is intended to give fair treatment to everyone, but taking into account their differences and exceptional situations. Fairness does not compromise the sense of impartiality, but it does imply an understanding that not everyone is born equal and, therefore, too equal a treatment would imply social injustice.

Examples of equality

Here are some examples of equality, often mentioned in social movements and promoters of the defense of human rights.

Gender equality

Gender equality is an idea that defends the equivalence of men and women in the enjoyment of equal rights.. In other words, it is against the idea that having one gender or the other is a reason for enjoying privileges and being a victim of discrimination. Gender should not be an impediment to having access to the same opportunities.

This idea is included in the Declaration of Human Rights, as well as having been defended in other documents, such as the Convention on the Political Rights of Women (1954) and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (1979).

Equality of opportunity

Equality of opportunity is the idea that all human beings should have the same opportunities as men. all human beings should have the same opportunities to be able to develop in a holistic manner..

Although in theory all states, or at least those that consider themselves democratic, try to apply this type of equality, the truth is that in practice it is more difficult to exercise. There are social inequalities that prevent us all from being able to start from a common base.

For example, those who have been fortunate enough to be born into an upper middle-class family are more likely to enjoy a good education, receive remediation in case of academic underachievement, and be able to afford university studies, both undergraduate and master's degrees.

On the other hand, a lower class person, even if they have the same cognitive ability, cannot afford the same type of education, and if they have difficulties, they may not receive a good education.If he has difficulties, he may not receive the necessary help and, even if he is worth it, he will not be able to afford university studies.

In the case of the upper middle class person, having had a very privileged life compared to the lower class, it is predictable that he will get a good job, either by inertia or by his own effort. On the other hand, the other will not be so lucky.

Social equality

Social equality is an idea that refers to enjoyment of all civil, economic, political and legal rights.. Within this equality we would have rights such as being able to have a house, to be able to have a salary, to have the right to vote and participate in politics, to be equal before the law...

Examples of equity

Here are some examples of equity.

Gender equity

Gender equity is a concept that is related to gender equality, but, although the common objective is that men and women can enjoy the same rights, gender equity chooses to give preferential treatment to women because, traditionally, they have been the discriminated gender.

Thus, we would speak of equity when to offer interventions aimed exclusively at women, so that they can so that they can have the same social, economic, political and legal weight as men.

For example, gender equity is achieved by promoting and facilitating the incorporation of women into the labor market, making it easier for them to reach high positions in the labor market and fighting against the glass ceiling.

Social equity

Social equity is understood as the set of measures implemented to ensure that all people have access to the same opportunities, taking into account their different circumstances.

For example, all children have the right to education, and are considered equal before the law in this respect.. That is, whether they live in the countryside or in the big city, all children have this right. The problem is that recognizing the right does not mean that people can enjoy it.

Although in developed countries the rural-urban dichotomy in education has been overcome and it is possible for those who live in rural areas to go to school with relative ease, in underdeveloped countries this is not the case. Living in the countryside means that it is very difficult to get to school, since the nearest school is most likely to be in the city, and it is not easy to get there.

To ensure that all children go to school, it is not enough to recognize this right. It is necessary to mobilize the necessary resources so that people living in less favored environments, in this case the countryside, can go to school.. Two good measures to achieve such a purpose would be to build more schools in rural areas and to enable school transportation so that they can go to class.

Bibliographical references:

• Villegas-Arenas, G. and Toro-Gaviria, J. A. (2010). Equality and equity: two key concepts in the work agenda of family professionals. Latin American Journal of Family Studies, 2. 98-116.
• Restrepo R., Dalia. (1999). Gender inequality, privileges and cultural rights in Caldas. ICFES. Bogotá: División de procesos editoriales, Secretaria General - ICFES.
• Fernández-Enguita, M. (2001). Equality, equity, solidarity. Educação & Sociedade, 22(76), 278-294. https://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0101-73302001000300015