Equity vs Equality

This discussion has been around for a long time and there are a lot of debates regarding this,
but before we continue and choose our side let us talk about the difference between these two.
According to Daisy (2019), equality is “ensuring that every individual has an equal opportunity to
make the most of their lives and talents.” In other words, equality is ensuring that everyone has
the same chances and is treated and supported in the same way. “Equity is giving more to those
who need it.” (Daisy, 2019). This is not the same as either equality or inequality. It simply means
giving more to those in need in proportion to their circumstances, in order to guarantee that
everyone has equal opportunity; for example, offering extra help to a poor students so that they
can realize their full potential. Equity recognizes that everyone's situation is unique and gives
the specific tools and chances needed to attain an equal outcome.

Both practices are very important to our current situations and choosing between the two is
disregarding the other one both can be used in different situations and nothing is better than the
other one. There are situations where equality is better than equity and there are also situations
where it isn’t. Equality, from my perspective at least, is that everyone is treated with the same
amount of respect and humanity.

We are all humans who deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. We also have equal
rights and equal chances to define our life; no one else has the right to limit or dismiss us just
because of who we are. Our differences do not make us lower, and no one group deserves less
respect and humanity than another.

Equity, on the other hand, is the capacity to recognize that we all have various needs and
different things we're capable of accomplishing and achieving as people. Equity also entails
providing each individual with everything they require to live a happy life. People cannot be
expected to achieve everything since we all have various capacities.

We can understand the difference between the two in the illustration below. It shows how the
two are being practiced in this
situation we can see that equity
is better in this situation
because in equality, they are
given the same tools but the
little one still can't see the
game and in equity, the taller
one gave his box to the little
one so that he can also see the
game. When more individuals
succeed and we value each
other's unique experiences and
viewpoints, our society as a
whole benefit. Some people
are concerned that providing greater possibilities for others would result in fewer opportunities
for themselves or their loved ones. They imagine opportunity as a pie that remains the same
size, but it is actually a pie that grows larger with each new opportunity produced, and we all
gain.

We can also see in the illustration above that freedom can also be the solution, without the
limitations we won’t have a problem between choosing which one is better and with the help of
freedom we can voice out the problems that are hindering us to improve. Equity is a remedy for
unbalanced social systems. Freedom may take fairness a step further by repairing the systems
in a way that ensures long-term, sustainable, and equitable access for future generations.

Equity isn’t simply a collection of specific actions as much as it is a mindset or lens (Howard and
Wilkes, 2022). Becoming an equity-conscious citizen is a continuous journey. It is about
consistently participating in critical inquiry in order to add, delete, or alter specific behaviors and
activities. Similarly, improving justice in all communities is a never-ending endeavor that needs
ongoing observation and evaluation. This implies that equity is a long-term goal and one of the
most pressing challenges we can solve. There are several systemic hurdles in our social,
political, and economic institutions that impede people from reaching their full potential, and
removing them will take time. We're not just moving stuff around! Promoting fair solutions to
social challenges necessitates a total shift in our habits, behaviors, and beliefs.

As we struggle to define the main distinctions between equity and equality, it's important
recognizing that none is inherently superior to the other – both are critical to our goal of a more
life-affirming society. To ensure fairness and justice and to allow every member of society to
reach their full potential, we need both equality and equity (Howard and Wilkes, 2022). Equality
assures that everyone has equal access to the same opportunities, whereas equity seeks to
provide everyone with what they need to have equal access to those chances. Equity has
frequently been neglected as a critical component in tackling societal concerns. We can be
better able to actually develop our communities if we have a clearer knowledge of how it differs
from equality.

Conclusion

According to the cartoon, taller individuals who can watch the game are happier. Jefferson's
immortal phrase "the pursuit of happiness" is embedded in our cultural DNA. We will not all be
wealthy, but we may all be happy if we are allowed the freedom to pursue whatever sort of
happiness we choose. In a free market, success in our economy comes from serving the wants
of others. Income measures a person's capacity to meet certain demands. More significantly,
the capacity to make a living offers social respect and dignity.

Only humans cherish abstract ideals like dignity, respect, and honor among all living things. We
yearn to be respected. It's just human nature. While receiving a handout may be humane and
necessary, it deprives a person of respect and dignity in the long term. Human nature teaches
us that elevating some while lowering others causes tensions that grow into discontent and
degradation. Horace recognized this: Drive nature out with a pitchfork, and she'll return
triumphant over your foolish confident derision.
Equality and equity are essentially distinct, yet they are also inextricably linked. To achieve real
equality of opportunity, equity is required to ensure that everyone has the same chance of
succeeding. However, we must proceed with caution when dealing with equality; offering too
little to those who need it and too much to those who do not might worsen the current inequities.
Let us aim for greatness rather than equity, not for the benefit of a few but for the benefit of all.