While there is a need for affirmative action programs, they have large negative effects that must be considered. Even if a program does not entail lower standards for women, doubts are cast on a woman's qualifications in a society that already mistrusts them. Programs with lower qualifications may be a tactical mistake (in addition to being unjust) because people may be put in situations for which they are not qualified, giving them less overall success and self-confidence than they would have had otherwise. These negative effects should be weighed when considering implementing an affirmative action program.
As phrased in [Ernest 1976, page 607,]:
We strongly support such affirmative action to ensure that all potential female candidates are considered. Such increased recruitment efforts can only enlarge the list of qualified candidates and thus result in the raising of standards. To immediately dispose of a red herring, let us state emphatically that none of us believe a less qualified [scientist] should be hired, just because she is female.