Equal Opportunity

MR/Natural Abilities Con gives a fixed mental age for people with mildly retarded IQs, however the mental age is not fixed. IQ = 100 x Mental Age ÷ Chronological Age (1) One is considered mildly retarded if their IQ is between 55 and 70. If someone is 25 their Mental age would be between 14 and 18 if they were mildly retarded. (2) Con’s Mental Ages would only apply to those with a chronological age of 7 and under. MR is a disability that has to do with how well or how fast a person can think and learn. Most MR adults can work and are able to hold steady jobs - if properly trained and placed in the right job. Adults with MR succeed in tasks that are well explained. (3) MR Examples My opponent claims “Pro dodging the question of whether a child with MR and Kobe/Shaq have the same chance of advancing social class." This is False, as I provided a video of mentally retarded Basket Ball players, who play an amazing game. Employment/College Admissions My opponent has thrown into the debate a common myth about those with MR. MYTH: Persons with disabilities are unable to meet performance standards, thus making them a bad employment risk. FACT: In 1990, DuPont conducted a survey of 811 employees with disabilities and found 90% rated average or better in job performance compared to 95% for employees without disabilities. A similar 1981 DuPont study which involved 2,745 employees with disabilities rated average or better in job performance compared to 90% of employees without disabilities. The 1981 study results were comparable to DuPont's 1973 job performance study. (3) Disabilities and sports My opponent claims, “a man with no arms or legs has a 0% possibility of making it to the professionals in most sports”, however Kyle Maynard is undefeated in wrestling, and has competed against some of the best Jui Jitsu Martial Artists. Violin talents Con claims, “say, both extremely talented in the violin yet average in all other aspects - yet if one is denied the allocation of income needed to pursue that talent there is an uneven playing field.” Playing the violin is a skill, and having a talent for the violin comes after one first acquires the skill to play it, not before. Amish Cultural Con stated “Even if the Amish child leaves the settlement he is at a clear disadvantage skill-wise.” The Amish are highly skilled in carpentry, and construction, as well as being highly motivated. An Amish man who decides to leave the community would do be promoted fast in construction, and would likely make the $115,440 salary of a construction project manager (4), within their life time; if they choose to go into that field. Economic and Cultural Differences My opponent has claimed that I did not address certain criticisms; however I addressed each criticism he has thrown out so far. Just because he didn't read it, does not mean I didn't wright it. Everyone has their own advantages and own disadvantages. Gangs Con said, “One may not be joined to force a gang, but the consequences for abstaining may be very severe and unpredictable.” I assume Con means one may not be forced to join a gang. Con keeps falsely referring to my arguments as red herrings, when con is the one really using red herrings, and this vague argument is a perfect example. So far Con’s only refutation for my argument against gangs is, “ Pro has not adequately addressed this, instead dropping back to his original point reiterating the power of free will.” The agreed upon definition of opportunity is “a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstance” (5), one circumstance could be choosing not to join a gang. Choices we make is a circumstance, which determines the possibility of our future; thus it is part of the definition of opportunity. Differences in Natural Ability Con said, “It's no secret that people are born with certain advantages and disadvantages, some capable of being overcome while others are utterly crippling. In my mind, this alone should invalidate the ’equal opportunity’ argument.” Opportunity is a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances, thus one circumstance alone does not define one’s opportunity. An IQ of 60 may not give someone the possibility of becoming a CEO, however if they attend college, they can achieve one of the high income jobs I have mentioned earlier; especially colleges like Shepherds Colleges, which is established for giving people with MR a higher education. (6) Equal Opportunity The agreed upon definitions of Equal, opportunity, advance and social class was; (adj) equal (having the same quantity, value, or measure as another) (7) (n) opportunity (a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances) (5) (v) advance (develop further) (8) (n) social class (people having the same social, economic, or educational status) (9) Thus the definition equal opportunity to advance social class is having the same quantity of favorable circumstances, allowing one to further develop their education or income. I believe I have proven that everyone has an equal opportunity to advance in education, or wealth. Conclusion Everyone has their own disadvantages, and advantages. I believe I have proven that in the US, everyone has the same quantity of favorable circumstances, allowing them to further develop their education or income. If you agree, please vote Pro. Bibliography 1. mega foundation. What Does "IQ" Stand For, and What Does It Mean? [Online] http://hiqnews.megafoundation.org.... 2. Artmann, Robert. Mental retardation. [Online] http://www.iq-tests.eu.... 3. Ursinus. FACTS ABOUT MENTAL RETARDATION. [Online] http://webpages.ursinus.edu.... 4. Payscale. Salary for Project Manager, Construction Jobs. [Online] Dec 20, 2011. http://www.payscale.com.... 5. Princeton. Opportunity. [Online] http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu.... 6. Goldstone, Christina. [Online] 2011. Daniela's Journey to Shepherds College: New Opportunities in Post-Secondary Education for Young Adults with Intellectual Disabilities. . 7. Princeton. Equal. [Online] http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu.... 8. —. advance. [Online] http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu.... 9. —. Social Class. [Online] http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu....