Perspective

As the course comes to an end, an issue that remains lingering for me is not exactly on how to define development but how to respond to it.  Certanily,  this question will contnue to have evolving answers.  However, ultimtely, it often boils down to a difference of opinion, values, or understanding.  For example, the case study on CARE-Bangladesh highlighted the issue of prostitution for women with desperate needs to obtain money for survival.  Many moralists might initally assume that prostitution is undesirable and should be outlawed to protect these women.  Ironically, however, many women who engage in prostitution would argue in defense of keeping prostitution legal for it is their means to survival.  In a conservative and religious country like Bangladesh, in particular, without prostitution, many of these women would remain outcasts in society without any alternative means to work and obtain financial support.  So, who is right?  There are so many complexities in any development issue such as this, that came to light during the readings of that week, particulary the case study itself.  Long-term, prostitution should be outlawed.  Instead, the government should engage in institutional and structural changes to respond to the core causes for women who find it necessary to engage in prostitution to survive.  These changes, however, require time—decades, often.  To prohibit prostitution, even though there are so many dangers for the women themselves associated with the practices, may be more detrimental—to some degree.  That degree is dependent on the cmopensation that is provided in substitution for prohibiting prostitution—such as housing, employment oportunities, access to food, etc.  In summary, however, the main point and lesson to be learned, arguably, is that an issue must be not only thoroughly analyzed, but truly understood from the perspective of all parties involved before identifying what would be “best” for the the lives of those we are trying to help in this process of development.