Contrary to development theories, the incorporation of women into paid work does

not necessarily guarantee their liberation nor increase their economic independence or

social standing and has little impact on women's equality (Charseworth & Wright 1991).

In non-industrialized countries, the increasing economic reactivation has brought greater

employment opportunities for women, but they are found at the lowest paid and lowest

status jobs without career paths (Charseworth & Wright 1991). Women carry the weight

of gender inequality into the work place and the situation is reinforced in the new work

position (Roldan, 1986, cited in Herrera 1999). In this sense, the potential for paid work

to increase the inequality of women and lower their economic position is high.

 In Latin American countries, and especially in rural areas, the deep economic crisis

is pushing women to become involved in income-earning activities to meet the increasing

cost of household survival (Pearson 2000). Contrary to the industrialized countries, where

industry was the main source of jobs for rural people, in the Latin American industry

plays a secondary role in providing jobs. Most of the work sources are provided by so-

called non-traditional export agriculture, consisting of_crops like flowers, fruits, and other

agricultural products that sell easily in international markets.

 In conclusion, the waged work in which women are increasingly being engaged is

part of the expansion of the capitalist system and not necessarily related to a social

process to achieve democratization nor to equalize gender relations. Therefore, the

pattern of gender inequalities that has characterized human history, particularly in so-

called western culture, is being reinforced despite the potential for positive social change

inherent in the incorporation of women into the paid workforce.