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When considering issues of biodiversity and how they relate to the idea of threats to cultural diversity, the answer is quite simple. Both types of issues would leave an organism, whether it be a plant, human, animal, etc., unknowing of what to do next. Also, I firmly believe that governing bodies should be actively involved in protecting cultural diversity for a variety of reasons, many of which have to do with securing the day to day rituals of those that follow cultures that may be on the brink of extinction.
As previously mentioned, the issues facing cultural diversity and biodiversity relate to each other in different ways because both instances would impact some lifeform on the planet. In other words, if an area is facing deforestation, the animals that normally live and rely of the plants do not know where they are going to seek shelter or find food. When a culture dissolves, it leaves the people that still follow the culture, no matter how many there may be, without a way to communicate or understand the rest of the population. Both of these situations pose a problem to the organism. Additionally, governments need to take responsibility for maintaining cultural diversity in their countries because without it, their country may suffer. The country may lose some of its core values that it once possessed that were kept alive by an extinct culture. Also, the people that still believe in the extinguished culture may not work to benefit their society because they are lost in what they are supposed to do. Depending on the size of the country, this could be catastrophic. One may say that governments should not involve themselves with the cultures of their people because it does not directly concern them or the country as a whole. This would not be a true statement. No matter how big or small a loss of a culture may be, the country will feel it in some way. Whether it be through the economy or the environment, the change will be noticed. Also, if one culture vanishes, it could result in a slippery slope that affects countless other cultures found across the country. For these reasons, it is crucial that the government steps in and ensures that cultural diversity in the country is preserved.
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I just added a section on the education in Costa Rica to my Politics/ Economics page. I would love to hear your comments on this report, so please share!
Globalization involves the process of people, groups, companies, and even countries collaborating with one another. Several areas of a country can be affected by globalization including its economy, politics, and culture to name a few.
Costa Rica experiences globalization in various sections of its economy. One of these areas well-known by many is agriculture. Known for producing foods like bananas and coffee, the amount of agricultural exports being shipped out of Costa Rica can be considered one of the most impacting effects on the economy in the country because of the high amounts of revenue brought in each year from the shipments. Another area of globalization found in Costa Rica involves tourism. With the country being a top pick for people to visit from all corners of the world due to its island feel and laid back attitude, millions of dollars come into the country each year from foreigners. Whether it be through the participation in various tourist attractions or payments to hotels, the presence of travelers significantly impacts the economic state of the country. Also, an up and coming area of globalization in Costa Rica has to do with the production of medical and other forms of technology. Although this field is newer, the products being produced are being sent all over the world, bringing more money into the country. These are only a few of the many sources of economic globalization present in Costa Rica. Personally, I feel that numerous positives, as well as negatives come from the increased amount of globalization in the country of Costa Rica. An overall irrefutable benefit that comes from globalization is the amount of money that flows into the country. The total amount brought in would not be something that could be achieved solely from the residents of Costa Rica. The production and shipment of agricultural products is a plus until it gets to the point where the items are being overproduced, leading to the destruction of the land. Additionally, when it comes to the high amount of tourism in the country, this is good because as previously mentioned, with tourists comes more wealth being contributed to the country. In order to accommodate the influx of visitors, more structures have to be built. These buildings tend to be built in the most desirable areas, such as near the beaches and the rainforest, which can lead to these environments being damaged and destroyed. Overall, one can depict various pros and cons when considering economic globalization in Costa Rica. Reference Costa Rica: Background. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.globalexchange.org/country/costarica/background Gender roles vary from country to country. Some countries are much more drastic than others in the treatment of a specific gender. Time has brought about gender equality in several nations, but not in all. For example, in Costa Rica, time has been the deciding factor in the treatment of women. Men and women both have equal rights, but when it comes to elements of life, such as participation in the workforce and care of the household, there are still recognizable differences in the expectations of men and women.
In the past, women of Costa Rica have been limited in the sense that their purpose is to cook, clean, and care for the children while their husband is at work. It was thought that men were the only ones capable of earning money for their family; that was their sole purpose in the household. This perspective has since changed. “The shift, from a girl being raised to believe that education was not important so she had to stay home and help her mother with chores, and that the workplace did not provide career advancement, has been rapid” (Evans, 2013). Today, women in Costa Rica are able to work outside of the home and receive an education. Their jobs can vary from working in agriculture to holding a position in politics (Evans, 2013). Although women have been granted these social rights, there are still disparities between the employment of men and women. “The Institute of Social Studies in Population (IDESPO) reported recently that Costa Rican men earn, on average, 40 percent more than women, with the majority of female workers employed in low-paying agricultural, domestic, and manufacturing positions” (Van Rheenen, 2013). This is too common in too many countries and is what is limiting the progression of women in the workforce. However, in the area of education, the number of women enrolled in a most universities in Costa Rica exceed the number of men (Van Rheenen, 2013). As one can see, views have changed as far as the roles that men and women have in society, but there are still several aspects that need to be overcome in order for Costa Rica to be a country of complete equality. As I read through these articles, I realized how much Costa Rica has progressed over the years as far as the elimination of gender roles. From having to stay home and manage the household to being able to become a political leader, the strides that the country has made have been immense to expand the role of women in society. Costa Rica has had female vice presidents, as well as a female president, which is something that a majority of countries cannot relate to. Personally, I feel that this is a huge accomplishment for Costa Rica and is a huge step in the direction of total parity between all people throughout the country. References Evans, M. (2013, December 26). Shift in traditional roles of women in Costa Rica. The Costa Rica Star. Retrieved from http://news.co.cr/shift-in-traditional-roles-of-women-in-costa-rica/30890/ Van Rheenen, E. (2013). Gender and family values in Costa Rica. Retrieved from http://moon.com/2013/10/gender-and-family-values-in-costa-rica/ Welcome to my blog! I would love to hear what you have to say, so please feel free to leave your comments and suggestions below. I look forward to hearing from you soon!
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