ABSTRACT

This conclusion presents some closing thoughts on the concepts discussed in the preceding chapters of this book. The book reports the changes that have occurred in American attitudes on the topics discussed in each of the chapters from 1945 to 2008. Between 1995 and 2003 when Americans were asked generally: "Do one favor or oppose Affirmative Action?" Between 58 and 63 percent said they did. In 2003, 60 percent of the respondents said they thought affirmative action programs were good and 30 percent thought they were bad. But when asked about the fairness of the programs 47 percent said they thought they were fair and 42 percent thought they were unfair. By gender women were more likely than men to think they were good, and fair. By race, blacks were most likely compared to whites and Hispanics to think they were good. Differences in white and black perceptions are shown in the dramatic differences.