Exchange your views on the following points. For further ideas and information read the supplementary texts at the end of the Unit

· We have to overcome the myth that gender equality is won.

· A lot of careers and job opportunities are still heavily based on gender.

· Behind every great man there is a great woman.

· The right man in the right job is often a woman.

· The high rate of divorce reflects the true level of marital breakdown and women’s independence.

· It’s time to tighten the divorce law.

· Paternity leaves – pros and cons.

· Male guidance at home is of paramount importance for children.

· Men need liberation too.

· While boys plan what they’ll achieve, young girls plan for whom they’ll achieve.

· The motto of the marriage is “Bear and Forbear”.

· Not all who have arranged marriages live loveless life and not all who have love marriages, continue to love.

· It’s a good wife who makes a good husband.

Role-play.

1. Imagine that you are a member of the organising committee of an International Women’s conference. Write down the problems to be raised and discussed at the conference. Exchange your opinions with the other members of the group.

2. Role-play this conference, electing the chairperson and the spokespeople in the problems you are going to discuss.

Writing

Write a report to be made at an international conference about the status of women in your country.

2. Make up a list of arguments and counter-arguments to be used in a talk-show “Gender equality: myth or reality?”

Write a letter to the editor of the magazine that published the article “The Qualities to Look for in a Wife”. Support the author’s viewpoint or criticize him and the editor for publishing this article.

Imagine you are a social worker. Write a newspaper article under the heading “Women and Work” in which you outline your reasons why women with babies should/should not be in the workforce.

Functional vocabulary

Phrases related to the topic

Women in the Modern World

Speech Functions Bank

F – Formal

Inf – Informal