Understanding equal opportunities and diversity
The social differentiations and intersections of inequality
By Barbara Bagilhole
Published
Apr 1, 2009Page count
272 pagesBrowse the series
Understanding Welfare: Social Issues, Policy and PracticeISBN
978-1861348487Dimensions
240 x 172 mmImprint
Policy PressPublished
Apr 1, 2009Page count
272 pagesBrowse the series
Understanding Welfare: Social Issues, Policy and PracticeISBN
978-1447319757Imprint
Policy PressPublished
Apr 1, 2009Page count
272 pagesBrowse the series
Understanding Welfare: Social Issues, Policy and PracticeISBN
978-1447319764Imprint
Policy Press
Understanding equal opportunities and diversity
This is a seminal time for Equal Opportunities and Diversity (EO&D) in the UK: the three existing Equality Commissions have been amalgamated into the Commission for Equality and Human Rights and a new Single Equality Act was published in 2010. The concepts of EO&D now incorporate gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, religion and belief and age inequalities. For the future, the problems of separate and relative deprivation, and conflicting experiences and interests, must be tackled, both between and within different categories of disadvantage.
These different, complex and sometimes contradictory strands in legislation, policy and practice need to be analysed and understood in order to facilitate genuine social change. This book challenges the official discourse that shapes the debates on EO&D at national, regional and European level.
The book will be a key text for students and researchers of EO&D in criminology, social policy, sociology, women's studies, gender studies, public administration, business studies, economics and management and industrial relations, at both undergraduate and postgraduate courses. It will also be of interest to EO&D professionals and policy makers in public and private sector organisations.
"...this is an important book which will be extremely valuable for those interested in issues of social justice and equality." Claire Worley in Journal of Social Justice
"... an extremely insightful examination of equal opportunities and diversity ... that will make us better equipped to develop and implement policies that respond to the multiple disadvantages that are present in society." CNWL NHS Foundation Trust Newsletter
"This a timely and useful text which guides the reader through the conceptual, institutional and legal maze that lies behind 'equal opportunities' and 'diversity'." Professor Teresa Rees, Pro Vice Chancellor, Research, Cardiff University
Barbara Bagilhole is Professor of Equal Opportunities and Social Policy at Loughborough University. She has carried out extensive research in the field of equal opportunities and diversity, both nationally and internationally.
Introduction; Statistical evidence of disadvantage; What do we mean by equal opportunities and diversity? theoretical approaches and ideologies; Equal opportunities and diversity: the history, politics and economics; Equal opportunities and diversity: the legislation; Equal opportunities and diversity: the policy process; The European Union: influence and effects on UK equal opportunities and diversity; Cross-national comparative approaches to equal opportunities and diversity in other EU member states; Future agenda for equal opportunities and diversity.
