What are the advantages and disadvantages of political correctness?

Question

Twilight: I asked it here because I was specifically referring to gender discussions. I should have clarified :)

Answer 1

The only "advantage" of political correctness is the illusion of inclusion and tolerance. The disadvantage is that instead of actually discussing situations and dealing with them in an open and honest manner that could bring about real change and understanding, we brush them under the rug and don't deal with them because it's not politically correct to express a certain view or ask certain questions. It also creates hyper sensitivity and can lead to "witch hunts."

Answer 2

Political correctness only favors groups that are deemed as minorities. It only serves to limit free speech, and give bullies of the nation, and world the right to put a muzzle on anyone they choose. In this country we give a separate category for hispanics, and "african americans", and then force everyone else to check the caucasian box. Technically hispanics and african americans can be considered caucasian. So the term is politically incorrect, yet thats OKAY? The sad fact is that there are many REAL minorities who are have to check the caucasian category on forms because there is no place for them, so then some jerk from the government gets to say "this many caucasians live here, they are the majority". If you are forced to consider yourself causasian you get denied some needed benefits because of it, even when you ARE a minority. Caucasian does NOT mean WHITE!

Answer 3

'Political Correctness' for the sake of appearing to be politically correct is it's own major disadvantage. Is it the idea of political correctness, or of doing the right thing by others that we should be pursuing? I freely admit that there are any number of aspects of the whole 'PC' circus that I find fault with. However if some good can come from it, then so be it. The trouble with 'Political Correctness' is that nobody controls it, no one admits to creating it, and none of us are safe from it. Some might even consider you very question to be 'politically incorrect'.
The first time I encountered the actual term was at sometime during the 1970's whilst reading 'I, Claudius' by Robert Graves. It was just two words used to justify the death of an Innocent man. But it seems to have stuck.
Historically the term itself dates back to the 1920's by and was given by "The Institute of Social Reseach" in Frankfurt, (the "Frankfurt School") as being a means of putting a more 'positive bias' on Communism. Put simply the idea was that, "if you could alter the way people (of a communist political orientation) communicated their ideas and opinions to, and between, each other and members of main stream society, either by persuading them that by giving voice to your views and beliefs was both disrespectful and offensive to others, and must be avoided so as to make amends for past errors in judgment, inequities and crimes against society". I'm quoting my self.

Answer 4

Political correctness can get carried away, but the advantage is that we are modeling positive attitudes to the young kids who are like little sponges. So maybe someday what is often just a forced 'concept' to us will become the norm and part of the social conscious for the newest generation when they grow up.

What is one man's truth is another man's insult and it would be nice to believe that some day we'll all get along.

Answer 5

Advantage - fewer women get offended by everything.
Disadvantage - the truth is sacrificed along the way and the hard things to say and hear that desperately need to be said for the betterment of us all go unsaid.

Answer 6

advantage: you may not lose some friends, or start any debates.

Disadvantage: you may still lose friends for being a fence sitter, you lose your freedoms (think for yourself, hold your own opinion, expression, ideas or ideals), and you might even sell out your "soul" by not standing up for what ever you may truly believe in. (not just religious) you also could sacrifice being real or true to yourself.

Answer 7

Look at the condition and performance of the public school system in California, and you can answer your own question. See where it ranks nationally. It used to be number 1.

Answer 8

Remember that political correctness has always been around.
It was uncorrect in 1930's Germany to suggest that Jews were normal people, or for the ancient romans to suggest that christians should not be eaten by lions. In Saudi Arabia, it would be uncorrect to suggest that people should not be stoned to death for flouting the Koran.
It is all bullying.

Answer 9

there is no advantage. the disadvantage is that pc stops the dissemination of the truth and also restricts the right of free expression.

Answer 10

Why is this here...? Hm... Anyways. I would say the biggest advantage, is you're taking more seriously. You're not looked at as having a low vocabulary if you say things, 'politically correct'. However, that can become a burden, and for some people how may lack a larger vocab., they may not be able to understand you. And by burden, I mean having to be 'politically current' all the time. Plus, sometimes things just don't get through to people unless you flat out say it. In other words unless you're human... But again, 'political correctness' can come in handy for earning respect. Which can come in handy for things like job interviews.

Hope that answers your question a bit.