Question

What was the impact of affirmative action as it affected the role of women and minorities.

explain with around 150 words.

Answer 1

There were cumulative effects of affirmative action over 1973–2003 were mixed across race and gender groups, with the primary beneficiaries being black and Native American women and men. Specifically, the share of black and Native American women and men grew more on average at federal contactors subject to affirmative action obligation than at noncontracting firms during 1973–2003.

On the other hand, affirmative action did not increase the employment of Hispanic and Asian women and men by a statistically discernible amount over 1973–2003, and it was associated with a decline in the employment share of white women, on average.The dynamics of employment around the time of contracting indicates that selection was not driving these results, that a large part of the effect of affirmative action on increasing protected group shares occurred within the first four years of becoming a contractor, and that contractors maintained these increased shares even after they no longer held a federal contract.

The fastest growth in the employment shares of minorities and women at federal contractors relative to noncontracting firms occurred during the 1970s and early 1980s, decelerating substantially during the Reagan era. This illustrates the sensitivity of affirmative action effects to political attitudes toward affirmative action and underscores the importance of strong government commitment.There continues to be heated debate over affirmative action in the labor market. Several states have prohibited affirmative action in public employment in recent years, and the future of affirmative action in the United States is uncertain. Rhetoric abounds on both sides of the affirmative action debate, with little hard evidence brought to bear to inform policy discussions.

Representation of particular female and minority groups did in fact increase more on average at federal contractors subject to affirmative action obligation during 1973–2003. It has also presented evidence of long-term affirmative action effects that persist even after firms no longer hold federal contracts. Overall,Government policy has contributed to increasing diversity at U.S. workplaces.