Should unattractive people qualify for affirmative action?

1. 64

   leroy64posted 12 years ago

   Should unattractive people qualify for affirmative action?
   
   This is the subject of a news article I am watching about how unattractive people are discriminated against in the work place.  Someone is seriously discussing this issue and pushing for government involvement.  The person pushing this is a professor, figures.  I want to hear what you think, whether the thoughts are serious or funny.

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2. 61

   delmer47posted 12 years ago

   I think govt. involvement is silly, but I think the issue is certainly relevant. It speaks to what we are prejudiced against as human beings, and how that even translates through attractive/unattractive people.

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3. 0

   Longhunterposted 12 years ago

   Affirmative action for ugly people would only serve to help people like my ex-wife. No, we don't need to extend it to ugly people.

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4. 59

   Sunny2o0oposted 12 years ago

   Affirmative action for unattractive people would be, practically, quite difficult to implement.  Apart from the golden ratios regarding symmetry, the physical features that constitute attractiveness are subjective on the part of the viewer.  Standards of what constitute beauty also change, so the risk is that by establishing a precise definition of what constitutes unattractive, the program may someday end up benefiting people who are considered by a majority of the population to be attractive.  Additionally, attitude, body language and cleanliness all play a role.  As I'm sure everyone has personally experienced, a person's physical appearance can either be elevated or diminished by their demeanor, and a person's demeanor is something that (s)he can change, thereby negating the idea of compensating him/her for it.  It's the exact same thing for body language.  And in terms of cleanliness--not everyone can be naturally drop-dead gorgeous, but most people would say that the well-groomed but less innately physically attractive person is more attractive than the smelly, greasy-haired specimen of physical perfection. 
   
   I suspect that the professor isn't actually interested in implementing an affirmative action program, but is trying to raise awareness of the issue via an affirmative action campaign.

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5. 64

   mcgreg28posted 12 years ago

   One's idea of what is attractive or unattractive is subjective. What would be the qualifications to be labeled as such? acne, small boobs, short legs, big nose? Or do you suppose members of the institution would cast a vote as to the least attractive employee? My point is that, since beauty is in the eye of the beholder, all would have to be granted affirmative action in the workplace.

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6. 0

   Old Empresarioposted 12 years ago

   The best thing to do about news like this is to ignore it.

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7. 62

   Lisa HWposted 12 years ago

   I'm not even sure I accept that premise, because I've sure seen a lot of very successful people (including in the workplace) who are about as far from attractive or appealing as it gets.   (In any case, who'd want to be one of the ones deemed to qualify for that kind of "Affirmative Action" protection?  I'd rather be discriminated against than become know as "the person who has a big Affirmative Action case going because s/he's so ugly the law had to step in.   LOL  )

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8. 73

   danielleantoszposted 12 years ago

   Really?  On a serious note I would say it is difficult to adjust government policy on something that is subjective.  Exactly how would you determine who is unattractive?

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9. 60

   TheRandomPagesposted 12 years ago

   Define unattractive, what is considered attractive constantly changes. A few hundred years ago fat women were considered gorgeous, now not so much. Blondes used to be the rage, now every guy goes crazy for red heads. Personally I would like to see this one go to the government, just for a laugh. How will they decide what makes one ugly. Also there are reigonal considerations to be made. Even in our own country there are differences in what makes one beautiful, not big ones for the most part, but they exist. Race is one thing. You are either this or this and even if you are mixed it still covers you, but this is too subjective. I thought they threw out affirmative action a few years back.

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