Reverse Discrimination
Reverse discrimination – discriminatory treatment of a member of a formerly or historically privileged social group, for example in employment, promotion, education, or access to other opportunities, in connection with preferential treatment given to a representative of a social group that has historically been marginalized or oppressed.
The term is often used in debates on affirmative action, positive action, and equality policies. For example, a man may claim reverse discrimination if he is denied a position because an employer gives preference to a female candidate out of concern about accusations of sexism or in an attempt to correct gender imbalance.
In academic and legal discourse, the concept of reverse discrimination is contested, since measures aimed at overcoming structural inequality may be interpreted either as discrimination against formerly privileged groups or as a legitimate means of correcting historical and institutional disadvantage.
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