Equality vs. Equity

This morning I saw the above picture on Facebook (from which I stole it, and forgot to find a reference. Further research has told me that lots of people have used it so I don't feel too bad, but it's still stealing so if anyone knows the original source please let me know!) and it really got me thinking.

If asked previously if I was pro-equality, my automatic response would be to say yes. And to some extent that remains the case, I believe in equal opportunities.

However, while equality represents sameness, equity represents fairness. By applying equality to a situation, it can only be fair if everybody is starting from the same, and that is where equity comes into play.

This differentiation has been commonly disputed for example in politics. To simplify what I know to be a rather more complex issue that I'm going to make it out be, there are some people who believes in equal tax rates for all. While this would be equality, what it wouldn't be is equity, because not every person earns the same and can afford to pay the same rates of tax. Those people are often the ones to benefit most greatly from the taxes in forms such as the NHS or financial benefits. These benefits are designed to bring people up to an even playing field (equity) but there uneven distribution in comparison to the amount of money contributed in tax (more contributed by those who receive less) cannot be considered equality. In addition, the aforementioned NHS runs on the basis of equality in Scotland, where prescriptions and medical access are free to ALL tax payers, while the financial benefits are means tested and consequently based on equity.

This afternoon I bought my first copy of "The Big Issue". I haven't finished reading it but what is evident is that the company operate a system of equity, with the aim of moving forward to achieve equality. The opportunity of a job selling "The Big Issue" may be something that is only available to those in real need of it (equity) but it then brings those people up to a more level playing filed where they can earn a living. "Hand up not hand out" and "trade not aid" are 2 of their principle slogans. I'm sure the same idea can be applied to all or at least many charities, but the striking thing about this particular publication is that it is pioneering equity with a real focus on an eventual equality.

Some would argue that Communism was a clear demonstration of the harmful effect of equality and that equity is the way forward. In order to put together a properly constructed response to this I would need to think long and hard on my view of, well essentially on austerity and on some people always having more- would being ok with that mean I had to be ok with some people always having less than average, for example? But for now, because it would take me a lot of time and a whole new post to explore that idea, I think it's suffice to say that I am pro equal opportunity, rather than equality in its purists, most literal sense. But hey, I realise that that is pretty idealistic.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below, Catriona xx