Globalization, in short, is the connection of countries though trade, economics, and politics. In America, it is the most cost-effective means of production getting different materials for goods and shipping them all over the world to have them assembled by workers making low wages. Though it encourages large countries to have extremely low wages, it allows many people all over the world to attain goods at reasonable prices. Globalization also supports travel, cultural diversity, and individualism. The means of globalization have had both positive and negative effects on the small country of Jamaica.
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The talk of gender equality has been going on for many, many years. In America, the first action was given to women in 1920 when women were given the right to vote. Since then, this movement has come a long way, but there is still a long way to go. Not only is this an issue in America, but in Jamaica as well. Though women do have some equal rights as men, they are still far behind the U.S. when it comes to equality.
In Jamaica, today, the women are seen as inferior to men. Their job is to take care of the house and children, and because of that, there is a very high unemployment rate. Men, however, are offered many positions in not only their community, but in the churches. “Men are predominant in leadership positions in government, the professions, business, higher education, and European-derived religions and engage in physical labor in agriculture. Women work primarily in paid and unpaid in household labor, formal and informal retail trades, basic and primary education, clerical and administrative jobs, and social welfare” (Jamaica. (n.d.). Retrieved October 8, 2015, from http://www.everyculture.com/Ja-Ma/Jamaica.html). Though women do have some professions, they still have to do with “…domestic, secretarial, clerical, teaching, and small scale trading activities” (Gender Roles. (n.d.). Retrieved October 8, 2015, from http://jamaicame.weebly.com/gender-roles.html). This stigma that women are the caretakers and the men are bread winners is absolutely ridiculous. I personally consider myself a feminist, though I’m not in any means extreme about this, and reading about their lifestyle just makes me sad. It’s so sad to know that they are still so far behind socially as compared to the United States. Though there is still a huge gender divide, Jamaican government is still trying to help, “The Jamaica National Policy for Gender Equality (NPGE) was approved by the Government of Jamaica for International Women's Day 2011. The policy seeks to "reduce all forms of gendered discrimination and promote greater gender equality and social justice” (Push for greater gender equality! (n.d.). Retrieved October 8, 2015, from http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120930/focus/focus6.html). It’s incredibly sad to see that these women make up half of the labor force yet are put in the lowest-paying areas of the economy. Not only that, “Despite universal adult suffrage in 1944, women today account for only 13.3 per cent of the members of Parliament (MPs), 20 per cent of Cabinet ministers; 24 per cent of senators; 17 per cent of local government councillors; and 30.7 per cent of mayors” (Push for greater gender equality! (n.d.). Retrieved October 8, 2015, from http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120930/focus/focus6.html). It is painfully clear that there is still a huge divide between men and women in Jamaica, but in a male-dominated country, simply passing laws isn’t going to completely fix the problem, though equal pay and opportunities would definitely point the in the right direction. |
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