Tuesday, August 6, 2019

Identify FOUR Values that are associated Essay Example for Free

Identify FOUR Values that are associated Essay Identify FOUR Values that are associated with education in the Caribbean. Explain how these values have shaped your choices and behaviours.  According to Emille Durkheim, Education is the acquisition of knowledge and the learning of skills. It often helps to shape beliefs and moral values. Education is one of the very tools through which social change and transformation can be achieved. Education, and in particular the teaching of history provides a link between the student and society and also a sense of belonging. The teaching of history helps to shape an individuals beliefs and values of what was taught and passed on through generations. For example, teaching a student about slavery and learning about how their ancestors revolted to claim their freedom can teach an individual to have a sense of pride in their history. Durkheim believed that school serves as a function which cannot be provided by the family or peer group. Being a member of a family is based on relation and being part of a group of friends depends on choice but being a member of society lies in neither of these categories. School teaches individuals to learn to interact and cooperate with people who are neither friend nor family; therefore, school provides the perfect atmosphere to acquire interaction skills. The school allows the students to interact under a fixed set of rules and these experiences allow the student to grow and prepare themselves for interaction with the wider society. Durkheim also added that school rules must be enforced and punishments should me put in place where necessary. This in turn helps the student to learn that their act was wrong and would be able to exercise self- discipline not only to avoid punishment but because their action has done damage to that social system. It is by respecting the school rules that the child learns to respect rules in general, that he/she develops the habit of self- control and restraint simply because he/she should control and restrain himself/herself. Therefore the rules in schools help individuals to make the right choices and shape them as a person. Education also teaches individuals certain skills that would be necessary for their future occupation which is usually in an industrial society with its increasing division of labour for example, a developing nation like Trinidad and Tobago which makes most revenue on oil would need more people to work in that sector such as engineers and rig workers. Individuals who wish to pursue this would need to study certain subjects such as physics or chemistry. In pre- industrial society it was common for parents could have passed on occupational skills to children without a need for formal education. Schools therefore, transmit both general values which provide the necessary homogeneity for social survival, and certain skills which make available the necessary diversity for social cooperation. Industrial society would therefore come together under value consensus which is a general agreement by members of society concerning what is good and worthwhile. According to Talcott Parsons, schools socialize young people into the basic values of society. He maintained that value consensus is essential for society to operate effectively. Schools in the Caribbean instil major values such as the value of achievement and the value of equality of opportunity. Teachers encourage the students to strive for excellence in academics and reward those who succeed for example by the presentation of certificates or trophies. Therefore schools promote the value of achievement itself and by placing students in the same environment encourages them to compete against one another on equal terms for examinations thus the school promotes the value of equal opportunity. There is no particular race, class or gender that can be given the opportunity to succeed anyone can achieve success through hard work. Parsons viewed the education system as an important factor for the selection of individuals for their future occupations and roles in society. The education system, functions to allocate these human resources within the role- structure of adult society. With end of term exam in secondary schools which evaluates a students progress, schools can then match an individuals abilities and capacities for certain jobs. The school therefore is seen as a major means for role allocation. In the Caribbean there are many religious affiliated schools which also help to shape an individuals moral values by including religion periods at least once or twice a week. By the teaching of religious beliefs and values to students, it helps to shape them as an individual by deciding what is right and what is wrong and sticking to their convictions. For example in the Roman Catholic schools, students may be taught about the Ten Commandments and learn that it is wrong to go against it. Some may adapt to these beliefs and some may not but by learning about it they know not to stray to far from the norm. In conclusion, those who conform to the Caribbean societys values of education will be ranked highly and will be likely to receive positive sanctions. They will be rewarded with high prestige because they exemplify and personify what the society expects of them. High position will vary from society to society, in the Caribbean, society values individual achievement and puts primary emphasis on productive activity within the economy. Therefore those who have achieved with their own initiative will be successful.

Monday, August 5, 2019

Leisure Time Activities For Overseas Students

Leisure Time Activities For Overseas Students Abstract The purpose of this study was to find out that leisure time activities have decreased among overseas students after coming to Australia and explored the hypothesis that leisure time activities has decreased among overseas students as compare to their home country. A survey was conducted on 50 students. Participants were selected randomly from the same course and a standard questionnaire was given to the participants. The questionnaires consist of 14 close ended questions. The results showed that overseas students engaged in leisure time activities on weekend in Australia. Where as in the home country they engaged in both. In addition to this, in Australia participants spend their most of time by doing outdoor activities and talking with friends. The result suggests that respondents do not have enough time to do their leisure time activities in Australia as compared to their home country. Universities should provide some activities to student on campus so that they can enjoy leisure a ctivities in college in their spare time. Introduction Leisure time is universal, something that every human being needs. It constitutes a period of free time that may be spent in any manner one chooses. Leisure time activities play a significant role in the daily life of students who have the heavy burden of study. By doing different types of leisure activities, like playing, reading, surfing the internet students achieve a feeling of well being and also gain more knowledge as well as having change in their life. For overseas students leisure time activities help them reduce stress and improve the relationships. Most people agree that leisure time activities hold an important role in student life.ABS (June 2011) showed that in 2011, more than 64% of Australian students aged 15 years and over are more interested in sport activity as it increase physical recreation and social interaction Moreover, Grahme and poyrazli (2007) researcher suggest that financial problems are experienced by majority of international student when they live in other country. In addition to this Barratt and Huba (1994) analysed that international students attempts to make friends and solve problem and improve communication. A lot of research has been conducted on leisure time activity. However, there are serious weaknesses in their results. Previous researcher ABS (2011) and Grahme and poyrazli (2007) have shown problem with Australian and international students they have not compared the what problem or activities has changed among students after they go to study overseas. In addition to this, overseas students face many problems like, language, eduction, and home sickness when they study in other countries. Moreover there was not a fixed aged group or sample for research to prove their hypothesis. The purpose of this study was to find why leisure activities have decreased among international students after coming to Australia and the hypothesis was the leisure time activities decrease among overseas student in Australia as compared to their home country. Methodology On Thursday 1st May 2014, a survey was conducted on 50 students. Who were enrolled in EAP 5 Academic English course at UWS College, Westmead campus. The survey took the form of questionnaire. This was devised and piloted in class with other students. Necessary questions were modified to produce the final version. The questionnaire consisted of 14 close ended questions. The first three were demographic questions where the respondent had to state gender, age and nationality. Whereas the rest of questions were related to time, place and different types of leisure time activities. The participants represented four different nationalities mostly from India. Male and female was participated but the majority were female. All ten EAP 5 classes went to the IELTS centre. Where seats were allocated according to class. Students started distributing their questionnaires EAP5H administrated their questionnaire to classes E, F, G and I and returned to their seats. The whole process lasted 1 hour. . At the end questionnaire was collected then data was collated and converted into percentages for use of further analysis. Results Figure 1 Figure 1 represents days in which participants engage in leisure activities. It is clear seen in Australia that most of students engage in leisure activities on the weekend. However, in home country most of respondents spend their time in weekdays and weekend. There were an equal proportion of participants that engaged during weekdays in their leisure activities in both countries. Thus, in Australia majority of participants engaged in weekend where as in home country they engaged in both days for leisure activities. Figure 2 Figure 2 illustrates the group with whom participants spend their leisure time. It is seen from the graph that in Australia majority of participants spend their leisure time with friends followed by family. On the other hand, in home country equal percentages of participants spend their leisure time with friends and family.5 % participants in Australia spend the leisure time alone as compare to home country. Overall, in home country friends and family is a best group for participants to spend their leisure time as compare to Australia. Figure 3 Figure 3 represents place used for leisure time activities. It is clear from graph that in Australia majority of participant used more outdoor activities and half of them preferred to do indoor activities. However, in home country most of respondent used indoor as well as outdoor activities in their leisure time. Hence, in home country majority of participant do indoor and outdoor activities in their leisure time as compare to Australia. Figure 4 Figure 4 illustrates time for leisure activities to students. It is seen that in Australia most of participants agree that they not have enough time for leisure activities in addition to this only 20% of participants have time to do leisure activities in contrast to that in home country majority of students have enough time for their leisure activities and only list of participants do not have time for leisure activities. Thus, in home country participants have enough time for leisure activities as compare to Australia. Discussion The aim of this research was to find why leisure time activities have decreased among overseas student. The hypothesis supported the study that leisure activities have decreased among international student after they come to Australia. A main finding was mostly consistent with study of Barratt and Huba (1994) they detected that international student attempts to make more friends. This could be because international student do not live with their family so they can express idea and views with friends and it help to solve them problems. A next significant finding was quietly similar with study of ABS (2011) they stated that in Australia student are preferred to do more outdoor activities then indoor .A likely reason for this is, that if they go out and do the activities it have to referees their mine and improve communication by communicating with other people. The finding supports the hypothesis. In the comparison of two countries surveyed. The respondents agreed that they do not have enough time to do leisure activities in Australia and they broadly engage in leisure activities on weekends. A possible reason for this, students have the burden of study and work in weekdays. Whereas in weekend students are free from all and they get more time to do their activities. A significant limitation in this research was that the questions are not well design. The sample size was too small to make generalization and all respondents are from the same college and course. Further studies should be carried out with large sample and survey conducted at different universities to investigate that leisure time activities has change among overseas student. The recommendation of study that universities should provide some different type of activities in campus so student can do in their spare time. Akanki Patel EAP5HPage 1

Sunday, August 4, 2019

The Road Ahead By Bill Gates Essay -- essays research papers

In his book The Road Ahead, Bill Gates relates to a non-technical audience the history, growth, and future of technology. He discusses how the trends, technologies, and issues of the Information Age are affecting society. Gates makes predictions and gives advice on how to adapt and succeed in the future of incredible change in computing and communicating. His book is written with two major concerns: the development and future of technology, and its influence on society. Bill Gates begins by explaining how computers will be interconnected globally in what will be called the information superhighway. Of course the precursor to this network is the currently used Internet. The development and use of this interactive network is the main focus of the book. Gates uses the metaphor of the 'ultimate market'; to describe how all manner of human activity will take place in this market, with the medium of exchange being digital information of all kinds. Bill Gates states that the ability to change and manipulate information and the increasing speed at which is it handled places us at the beginning of an 'information revolution.'; Since almost all information in the future will be digital, conventional communication devices will be altered. As soon as the cost of communication drops and it is combined with other technological advances, Bill Gates predicts that the results of this interactive information will be like the effects of electricity. He also predicts t hat the house of the future will have one wire running into and out of it that will carry television, phone, or news information that will be sent to the appropriate device.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In his book Gates attempts to tell the history of the computer industry, but instead he tells about the development of Microsoft and his achievements while debasing his competitors. He recounts the history with a degree of arrogance and criticizes IBM for the mistakes it made, for example not buying thirty percent of Microsoft when given the opportunity, and for wasting time and money on the OS/2 and OfficeVision projects. Bill Gates speaks on Microsoft's success and, in a way, reaffirms customers that Microsoft will not raise its prices or stop innovation. The future success, he says, depends on innovation and improvement to stay ahead of competition.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  He dedicates a chapter to ap... ...gy, investment in education, regulation, and the balance between individual privacy and community security. The question of responsibility arises and some have suggested that communication companies should be made gatekeepers in charge of the filtering the content of what they carry. A rating system, like the one used for movies, could be implemented and parents could then restrict what rated sites their children visit through their web browser. Bill Gates refrains from using technical vernacular and explains all computer terminology as he discusses it, making it clear and easy for normal people to understand him. He is convinced that this new technology will 'enhance leisure time and enrich our culture by expanding the distribution of information.'; This, however, oversimplifies most issues and results in a dull, repetitive book for most experienced computer users. He succeeds in explaining his vision of the future and why he has chosen to switch Microsoft's focus to the Internet. Bill Gates optimistically looks ahead at the emerging tools of technology that will forever transform the way we buy, work, learn, socialize, and communicate and encourages us to help shape the future.

Saturday, August 3, 2019

Corporate Average Fuel Economy Essay -- essays research papers

Corporate Average Fuel Economy   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The foreshadowed Market Failures of the mid 1970's gave way to Corporate Average Fuel Economy, regulation which would call for new standards in automobile fuel efficiency. The market failures hinged on a number of outside variables which could have had a drastic effect on domestic markets.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Resource Scarcity drove the American public to call for a more efficient means of managing its resource use due to a) oil embargos on nondomestic products and b) skyhigh prices at the pump.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Conservation of the world's non-renewable resources cams to the foreground with a) higher pump prices and b) forecasted resource expenditure before the year 2000.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  With Corporate Average Fuel Economy in place the market failures should be partially alleviated and pressures due to restricted international resources should subside. The regulated fuel efficiency should allow the market to resume its national flow and regain stability without further manipulation.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Reliance on imported fuels would be minimized because of the a) decreased demand for fuel consumption and b) lowered fuel demand allowed for domestic producers to meet the basic needs of the public.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Maximum fuel efficiency would a) cut the amount of fuel consumption thus nullifying high pump prices and b) raise the level of conservati...

Freedom for Rousseau and Individual Liberties Essay -- Jean Jacques Ro

Freedom for Rousseau and Individual Liberties The purpose which Rousseau ostensibly gives his social contract is to free man from the illegitimate chains to which existing governments have shackled him. If this is his aim, then it follows that he should be most concerned with the preservation of freedom in political society, initially so that savage man might be lured out of nature and into society in the first place, and afterwards so that Rousseau’s framework for this society will prevent the present tyranny from reasserting itself. Indeed, in his definition of purpose for man’s initial union into society, he claims that, despite his membership in an association to which he must necessarily have some sort of obligation if the contract is to be valid, he will â€Å"obey only himself and remain as free as before† (I.vi. 4). However, hardly a paragraph later, he appears to contradict this idea entirely, saying instead that men’s union into society constitutes â€Å"the total alienation of each associ ate with all of his rights to the whole community† (I.vi.6). This apparent contradiction begs the question, what is the freedom that Rousseau envisions for man, and how does this kind of freedom relate to individual rights and protect the individual within a society governed by the general will? Rousseau’s conception of freedom begins to take shape in the transition from nature to society, in which a fundamental shift occurs in human nature that translates into a change in the nature of freedom between the two states. Entrance into civil society, Rousseau argues, â€Å"produces the most remarkable change in man by substituting justice for instinct in his conduct† (I.viii.1). That is, entering civil society allows man to exist peacefully in ... ...s him without any recourse except to accept the constant error of his ways and obey. Rousseau opens The Social Contract with the claim that he is â€Å"taking men as they are,† but he is in fact taking man as he wishes he might someday become, as his theory of human perfectionism betrays (I.i.1). And while Hobbes understands that man will never bow voluntarily to coercion and will fight for his life inside and outside of society, Rousseau thinks man can be conditioned to accept coercion as a blessing so that no force will need to be exerted to keep him in order. And in the process of shaping men in the image of his mind’s eye, he is willing himself to tolerate what he calls â€Å"the most enormous abuses,† from the subjection of men’s very thoughts to the jurisdiction of the law, down to the right of the sovereign to execute citizens it deems a danger to its amorphous good. Freedom for Rousseau and Individual Liberties Essay -- Jean Jacques Ro Freedom for Rousseau and Individual Liberties The purpose which Rousseau ostensibly gives his social contract is to free man from the illegitimate chains to which existing governments have shackled him. If this is his aim, then it follows that he should be most concerned with the preservation of freedom in political society, initially so that savage man might be lured out of nature and into society in the first place, and afterwards so that Rousseau’s framework for this society will prevent the present tyranny from reasserting itself. Indeed, in his definition of purpose for man’s initial union into society, he claims that, despite his membership in an association to which he must necessarily have some sort of obligation if the contract is to be valid, he will â€Å"obey only himself and remain as free as before† (I.vi. 4). However, hardly a paragraph later, he appears to contradict this idea entirely, saying instead that men’s union into society constitutes â€Å"the total alienation of each associ ate with all of his rights to the whole community† (I.vi.6). This apparent contradiction begs the question, what is the freedom that Rousseau envisions for man, and how does this kind of freedom relate to individual rights and protect the individual within a society governed by the general will? Rousseau’s conception of freedom begins to take shape in the transition from nature to society, in which a fundamental shift occurs in human nature that translates into a change in the nature of freedom between the two states. Entrance into civil society, Rousseau argues, â€Å"produces the most remarkable change in man by substituting justice for instinct in his conduct† (I.viii.1). That is, entering civil society allows man to exist peacefully in ... ...s him without any recourse except to accept the constant error of his ways and obey. Rousseau opens The Social Contract with the claim that he is â€Å"taking men as they are,† but he is in fact taking man as he wishes he might someday become, as his theory of human perfectionism betrays (I.i.1). And while Hobbes understands that man will never bow voluntarily to coercion and will fight for his life inside and outside of society, Rousseau thinks man can be conditioned to accept coercion as a blessing so that no force will need to be exerted to keep him in order. And in the process of shaping men in the image of his mind’s eye, he is willing himself to tolerate what he calls â€Å"the most enormous abuses,† from the subjection of men’s very thoughts to the jurisdiction of the law, down to the right of the sovereign to execute citizens it deems a danger to its amorphous good.

Friday, August 2, 2019

Persuasive speech Essay

`Americans should be considered equal and allowed the opportunity to marry a person of the same sex if they desire`.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   For years, marriage has been defined as the union of a man and woman. In fact, in the United States, the Defense of Marriage Act has been passed by the Congress. This has prohibited and denied same-sex marriages. According to democracynow.org, this issue on same-sex marriages has continued to bring out divided and different opinions from people, though some states have stepped towards allowing legal rights to gay marriages. According to law.richmond.edu, same sex marriage has become a major constitutional issue.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In all these debates, my stand is that we should allow this kind of marriage. I believe that every person, whatever his or her gender is, should be treated with equality.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Mary Bonauto, the Civil Rights Project Director of Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, said that civil rights movements make an effort â€Å"to create a world without privileged places from which individuals or groups of people are excluded solely because of personal characteristics.† They have struggled for women, African Americans and now lesbians and gays in America. Are we to overlook and disregard those struggles? If they have fought for equality for women and for African Americans and we have learned to accept it, why can we not give way to equality in terms of marriage? Gays and lesbian couples want to get married simply because they love each other deeply. Bonauto said that these people view marriage as the ultimate means of expressing their love for each other, just like other people do. Many of these couples would want to marry if only they were allowed to do so, according to bc.edu.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   According to law-library.rutgers.edu, Mary Becker, Professor of Law at DePaul University College of Law found the real good in marriage, it being â€Å"an intimate human connection that transcends gender and procreation†. Professor Becker suggests that the government should support a model that advances â€Å"human happiness and well-being† in its regulation of marriage.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   There had been a lot of arguments on this, though. I quote from a press release from white house.gov, â€Å"America is a free society, which limits the role of government in the lives of our citizens. This commitment of freedom, however, does not require the redefinition of one of our most basic social institutions. Our government should respect every person, and protect the institution of marriage. There is no contradiction between these responsibilities. We should also conduct this difficult debate in a manner worthy of our country, without bitterness or anger.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Also, the site cwfa.org cites things that gay marriages can result to, such as weakening of the family and the encouragement of people to remain homosexual.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Well, what I have to say is I think that every person has a choice to become what he wants to be. He can choose what to make of that right. What steps can we do to solve this issue? For starters, if we are to respect every person in the real sense, we are not to let discrimination hurt anyone. And I know that each of us can handle this debate without bitterness. I hope we could all open our eyes and see beyond ourselves, to see where other people come from and what they believe in and to respect what they uphold. If we say that we are a free society then let’s show it. Let us give gay couples the freedom to marry if they want to.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   At some point in our lives, we may have experienced discrimination in various ways. And we know that doesn’t feel good. You see, we all have rights. And we need to treat all people, including gays and lesbians equally and with respect, just like how we want to be treated. Same-sex marriage is not a bad thing. Gay marriages just prove that marriage, love and commitment pass beyond gender. Think of this. What if you were in their shoes, not having the chance to marry the person you love because of gender biases? How would you feel? Live and let live. Sources: Becker, M., â€Å"Family Law in the Secular State and Restrictions on Same-Sex Marriage: Two Are Better Than One,† University of Illinois Law Review, 2001:1-56, Retrieved November 21, 2006 from http://law-library.rutgers.edu/SSM.html#pro Bonauto, M. L., â€Å"Civil Marriage as a Locus of Civil Rights Struggles,† Human Rights, 30(3):3-7 ( 2003) (American Bar Association, Section of Individual Rights and Responsibilities) Retrieved November 21, 2006, from http://www.abanet.org/ Henkle,G. (2004). Same Sex Marriage In The News. Retrieved November 21,2006, from http://law.richmond.edu/ Knight, R. (2003). ‘Gay Marriage’ Is Not Only Wrong; It’s Socially Destructive. Retrieved November 21, 2006, from http://www.cwfa.org/ Wriggins,J. MARRIAGE LAW AND FAMILY LAW: AUTONOMY, INTERDEPENDENCE, AND COUPLES OF THE SAME GENDER, Retrieved November 21, 2006, from http://www.bc.edu/ Gay Marriage in Native America (2005). Retrieved November 21,2006, from http://www.democracynow.org/ President Calls for Constitutional Amendment Protecting Marriage (2004). Retrieved November 21, 2006, from http://www.whitehouse.gov/

Thursday, August 1, 2019

Gender and Development: Issues and Implications

N. Santosh Ranganath Faculty Member Department of Commerce & Management Studies, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar University, Srikakulam. The ‘women and development’ approach is introduced and focused on the relationship between capitalism and patriarchy which considered to be the women will be subordinated to men as long as capitalism is the dominant economic system. Critics of this perspective say it fails to address differences in the inequalities experienced by different communities of women, and does not recognize the fact that patriarchy exists in communist societies as well as in capitalist ones.Next, the ‘gender and development’ perspective is introduced as a holistic analytical tool that can be used to provide an overview of the realities of development. Associated with ‘women for a new era’, GAD sought to dismantle notions about what is considered masculine or feminine, as well as the power dynamics that result from these assumptions. The’ ef fectiveness’ approach is also introduced and related to the WID approach in its quest to shed light on the vital role women play in production.The recent ‘mainstreaming gender equality’ initiative is also presented, and its intention to put gender at the forefront of all social policy, including that of development, is explained. The relationship between poverty and gender is made explicit throughout and this connection is attributed to factors such as unequal access to education and property rights. One of the main issues in regard to the service sector is the variety of activities that are encompassed by that term.Thus the effect of liberalization on, for example, financial services, will be quite different for women who may be primarily affected as consumers than the liberalization of other industries within that sector which may affect women also as workers. Many of the concerns over the possible effect of trade liberalization on women have been informed by t he previous experience of public sector privatization and economic austerity experienced under the Structural Adjustment Programs implemented since the 1980’s.Yet, given that trade liberalization as we see it today is a fairly recent phenomenon, it is difficult to assert with precision what are the effects of liberalization on men and women. For the reasons explained above, women as a group may face more obstacles in taking advantage of the changing economic structure, especially in converting new opportunities into long-term improvements. But women do not form a homogenous group and thus the impact of liberalization will likely be differentiated.Many of the issues and questions that arise today and which have drawn opposition to trade liberalization are also linked to the fact that trade agreements and trade liberalization have become more encompassing and thus moved beyond the original agreements on goods. The expansion of liberalization to such areas as services raises new questions as more sectors of society become affected by these changes.Because of the structure of gender relations, it is possible those women will be affected differently than men by the opening of markets to foreign competition and that their capacity to adapt to new economic conditions will also be different. If this is the case, the capacity of women to take advantage of the new opportunities while minimizing the negative impact of liberalization is crucial to ensure that women, those who depend on them and society as a whole benefit from the current changes.