Olympic Games: the world comes to China

Not since 1980 has the opening day of the Olympic Games dawned with such a mixture of anticipation and apprehension.
When the world's largest nation hosts the world's greatest sporting contest, anything could happen - inside the stadium or out. Political tensions and human rights demonstrations have already made headlines, as they did in Moscow 28 years ago. But Beijing's smog, heat, sporting prowess and Chinese patriotic fervour have made these Games among the most political, controversial and unpredictable ever staged. When the last runner in the global marathon relay carries the torch into the Bird's Nest stadium this afternoon to kindle the Olympic flame, he will be watched not only by the kings, presidents and prime ministers of more than 50 countries, by 10,500 athletes and by some 90,000 eager spectators; he will be watched by the world.
For the next two weeks, Beijing will be the focus of hopes, excitement, anxiety and pride in almost every part of the globe. The ferocious competition for medals, records and honour has already sparked spats between tense competitors and rival nations. Britain and Australia are quarrelling over the sporting records, with bets between the ministers and gibes from the press. And already Britain has suffered its first disappointment: the boxer Frankie Gavin, one of Team GB's best hopes for gold, failed to make the weight and was sent home without throwing a punch. Russia, meanwhile, has already disqualified seven of its female athletes for failing drug tests. When the Games begin, these spats have all the potential to develop into full-scale rows and diplomatic incidents, especially if drug testing knocks out high-profile competitors.
Outside the sporting arena, political arguments are already racing apace. A day before arriving, President Bush delivered a speech voicing “firm opposition” to China's detention of dissidents, human rights advocates and religious activists. Mia Farrow, the American actress, is planning to broadcast from a Sudanese camp in Chad on the plight of the Darfur refugees, accusing China of arming and backing the Sudanese Government. Other Darfur campaigners have had their Chinese visas abruptly cancelled. And in Paris the French authorities have caused outrage by banning demonstrations outside the Chinese Embassy planned by press freedom lobbies.
China has, so far, acted with restraint, sensing that an overreaction to criticism or to demonstrations would itself make headlines and be counterproductive. There is no disguising Chinese irritation, however, at what many see as a determined attempt by Western leaders and foreign media to rain on China's parade and dwell on sensitive issues such as the Government's attempts to block websites, the harassment of journalists, the silencing of dissidents and unrest in Tibet and the Xinjiang region. There is a danger of the Chinese perceiving the world as a “bad guest” at their Olympics. Intensely proud of what they see as a glorious national achievement and the symbolic emergence of their nation on the world stage, many people would feel a lasting resentment if outside views were solely negative.
For very many Chinese, the Games will be their first experience of the outside world. Engaging with a formerly closed society can only encourage greater openness and freedom - and this legacy will not be easily suppressed when the Games are over. Equally, it is sobering - and, to many, thrilling - to realise that in 17 days' time all talk of the next Olympics will refer to London. Britain would do well to watch, study and learn from Beijing. Who now can tell what fevered talk will fill the air in London four years from now? But for Beijing the long wait is over. Let the Games begin.

Stereotypes and Myths about the Mexican Family

Stereotypes and Myths about the Mexican Family
The Mexican family has been subject to popular stereotypes, including an extreme machismo and a submissive and powerless woman. This vision is real in some families but is not the norm. In many cases, the moral and psychological strength of women withstands the initial pledge for power of their mates, and women end up with control and authority in all family matters. In a growing number of families, the men do the housework, and the women earn part of the family income (Leñero 1982).
Other stereotypes center on the role of religion in the family, giving it a sacred and ideal tone. This is reflected in proverbs such as, "what God has united cannot be separated by man," or "you must have as many children as God sends you." These statements have affected the behavior of Mexicans for ages, but are more strongly held in the rural areas, towns, and small cities. However, in spite of the official religious character of the Mexican family, there is a large disparity between religious fervor and the practice of religious values in everyday life. Many do not practice the religion they profess (Bermúdez 1955; Lafarga 1975).
Along with stereotypes there are myths about the Mexican family. These tend to be deeply rooted in the collective memory and are expressed in the form of feelings of cognitive structures that guide the interpretation of events or traditions that confirm group identity. Thus, myths are the vehicles for the creation of beliefs and behavioral patterns of family life. Their origin is in the culture and they influence the values, feelings, and perception of how one should conduct oneself in everyday family activities. Among the most popular and widespread myth systems are:
Families in the past were more stable and harmonious.
The only place to satisfy the vital needs of love and protection is the family.
Family agreement and consensus is natural.
Virginity should be kept until marriage.
He who is married wants a house.
Until death do us part.
Fidelity exists in marriage.
Men always say the last word. (Salles and Tuirán 1997)

AT LEAST 12 PEOPLE DIED

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - At least 12 people died and 18 were injured on Friday when hundreds of young party-goers rushed to get out of a crowded nightclub in the Mexican capital during a raid on under-age drinkers, police said.
Nine youths, including several minors, and three police officers were asphyxiated in a scramble to leave the News Divine disco after a tip-off from its owner that police were in the building, police and the city's top prosecutor said.
"More than 1,000 people left in a stampede ... for the emergency exit. The exit is very small ... and that's why people were asphyxiated," Mexico City police chief Joel Ortega told the Televisa network.
The emergency exit was partly blocked by boxes, Ortega said.

Two other youths, aged 15 and 18, died in hospital, Mexico City Attorney General Rodolfo Felix told a news conference.
Mexican media photographs showed three bodies lying in the street outside the entrance to the nightclub, their shirts and shoes torn off, while dozens of other shoes were scattered about the nearby sidewalk.
Police arrested more than 30 youths and the nightclub's owner.
Ortega said the crackdown on the party to celebrate the end of the school year was not a surprise raid and the owner had been told about the operation.
Selling alcohol to people under 18 is illegal in Mexico and nightclubs are only allowed to operate within certain time limits. However, those laws are largely ignored by bar and nightclub owners.