ISSUES AFFECTING WOMEN'S RETIREMENT PLANNING

There has been a steep rise over the past 20 years in the proportion of women who enter the workforce, with a concomitant increase in the number of women who will be retiring in the next 20 years. In the past, the majority of women over 60 have either been supported by their husbands superannuation benefits, or have been dependent on a government pension. This situation is unlikely to continue; it is becoming increasingly essential for women to make provision for their own post-retirement income. However available evidence suggests that women are not effectively planning for their retirement and are increasingly at risk of facing a life of poverty in their old age. This research project examines some of the factors that impact on women's capacity to effectively plan their retirement. In particular, the research explores the attitudes of women to retirement planning, access to information, and external impediments particularly labour market conditions.     

GENDER ISSUES IN PSYCHOSOCIAL MORBIDITY IN GENERAL PRACTICE

The objective of this study was to compare differences in reasons for encounters, diagnosis and treatment between men and women patients presenting with psychosocial problems as recognised by their general practitioners. The research design was a survey based on structured questionnaires completed by the general practitioners on patients consulting with mental health problems in Bunbury in the rural South West region of Western Australia. The data collection took place for a period of 5 weeks. Twenty two general practitioners, from 5 surgeries, collected information on 428 patients, pertaining to socio-demographic characteristics, reasons for encounter, diagnoses, social problems, chronicity, counselling, medication and use of referral services. The gender differences in the illness profile was quite pronounced. Men patients were older, were more likely to be diagnosed with psychosis or character disorders, to have employment or unknown problems. On the other hand, female patients were younger and more likely not to be given a definite diagnosis, to report more social isolation, dependent/difficult relatives and problems resulting from assault. Men were more likely to be on medication and to be referred to psychiatrists, while women received more counselling from their GPs or were referred to counselling services. On the basis of the findings, it is pointed out that men and women differ in terms of the recognition that they are suffering from a problem, that outside help is needed and making the decision to consult. They also differ in terms of the social factors influencing gender differences in recognition of the illness by the GP and the decision to treat and/or refer.     

THE FUTURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ON THE MAINSTREAM POLITICAL AGENDA

The purpose of this paper is to identify some of the factors that have contributed to he well documented decline of the environment as a significant policy concern on he mainstream political agenda. On the basis of interviews with environmental ***ctivists, such factors would appear to include the hardening of the Australian Labor ***arty and concomitant softening of the Liberal Party to movement pressure; the increased institutionalised access of movement elites to decision‐making forums; the changed issue focus of some environmental organisations; and a shift in the movement's campaign tactics.     

SPECIAL ISSUE： IMPORTANT ISSUES IN MARXIST PHILOSOPHICAL STUDIES IN CONTEMPORARY CHINA：Historical materialism and the path to social actuality

揭示并切中当今的社会现实，是马克思主义哲学研究目前所面临的根本任务。黑格尔通过对主观意识及其外部反思的尖锐批判，第一次在哲学上揭示出理解社会现实的可能路径。马克思批判地继承了黑格尔哲学的这一遗产，其批判的成果不仅瓦解了理念与现实的思辨唯心主义联盟，而且彻底重建了社会现实的本质性向度。在这个主题上，对马克思主义哲学的康德主义解释势必意味着取消社会现实的那一度，意味着返回到主观意识的哲学，因而也势必意味着历史唯物主义的实际解体。通达社会现实的道路乃是历史唯物主义的生命线，而这一学说的真理性也只有在这条道路上方才能够持之不坠。     

SPECIAL ISSUE： IMPORTANT ISSUES IN MARXIST PHILOSOPHICAL STUDIES IN CONTEMPORARY CHINA：The issue of style of study in research on Marxist philosophy

马克思主义哲学研究的学风问题，是马克思主义哲学研究的一个根本的、前提性的问题。坚持马克思主义学风，首先要始终站在人民群众的立场上；其次要牢固树立解放思想、实事求是、与时俱进的态度；再次要自觉坚持理论联系实际的方法。建设中国特色社会主义是当代中国最大的实际，是人民群众的根本利益之所在，是解放思想、实事求是、与时俱进的现实表现和要求。服务于中国特色社会主义实践是马克思主义哲学研究的历史使命。     

SPECIAL ISSUE： IMPORTANT ISSUES IN MARXIST PHILOSOPHICAL STUDIES IN CONTEMPORARY CHINA：Introduction： reality and academic learning - the fabric of Marxist philosophical studies

After over two decades＇ exploration and accumulation since reform and opening up, studies of Marxist philosophy in contemporary China have now focused on two basic aspects： a higher level of scholarship and more concern with social reality. The trend has largely manifested itself in Marxist philosophical studies of major practical problems in recent years. Papers in this special issue not only highlight the latest developments in Marxist philosophical studies and their orientation to reality, but also summarize basic questions for further exploration.