Affirmative action may be even more necessary today than it was initially, given the current conservative social, economic, and political national climate and the climate of higher education, with its shrinking financial resources, smaller minority faculty availability pools, and fewer academic positions. (CMG)

Studies show that wage differentials between men and women are widening, especially when race is considered, and women are still underrepresented in some fields. It is suggested that affirmative action for women, especially in professional occupations, might have far-reaching positive results in sexual equality and community leadership. (MSE)