Feb 3

Most of the questions revolve around Guests of the Sheik and Death Without Weeping with some questions regarding the movie on arranged marriages.

Many were concerned with the issue of cultural relativism vs. the responsibility to provide access to health care, safe procedures (such as safe female circumcision).

1. Why are women always considered inferior, why is this so universal, and what can be done about it?

2. What do women in developing countries think about their status? What do they think of women in developed countries...do they strive to attain similar rights or are they happy with their situation?

3. "Would it even occur to me or be possible for me to stand up to cultural norms had I not been raised in a society which prides itself on the provision of individual freedom to its members?"

4. If child mortality is so high in Brazil, why don't women use contraception?

Shouldn't the government help?

Have any structural changes taken place to alleviate the disparity between the rich and the poor since the 60s?

Feb 10

Teen pregnancy questions:

1. what are the earliest ages that girls start birth control?

2. what has caused the recent downward trend in teen pregnancy?

Contraception

1. What are non-western methods of birth control and what part do they play in developing countries?

2. If female education reduces fertility, but social norms encourage very high fertility, which factor is stronger?

3. Where can we find information on contraceptive use in developing countries?

Infertility

1. Has infertility increased in the past 100 years?

2. What are the consequences for infertile women in non-Western countries?

Fertility

1. Can you explain TFR?

2. What is the connection between infant mortality rate and the number of

desired children? Why would both be high in a place like Niger?

3. What is the effect of HIV and STD's on the effective reproductive span?